Congrats on your win this week — only half a point! Dan: Thanks! It was very, very close. It made it easier using our Bonus Point against the boys though, because, if I remember correctly, at the start I recall Andrew saying he would have no hesitation in using it if it was to win a room. So to beat them with the Bonus Point was extra special... Dani: We beat them at their own game!
It was touch and go as to whether the judges would like your paint colour — were you nervous? Dan: We were. Dani: I didn’t know whether they would think the room was too small to be that gutsy with a colour that was that bright. I didn’t know if it would work, or if we’d chosen the right furnishings — all that stuff. Dan: During the week we were umming and ahhing. And then when Shelley and Scotty came for the walk-around it put an extra spin on it. Scotty was saying, ‘Do it, it’s a great colour.’ But Shelley was saying, ‘Don’t do it!’ We got so nervous and didn’t know what to do. Dani: Then we painted it on the wall — and we had no choice!
Now you have had a chance to see a couple of episodes, what’s it been like watching yourselves on the telly? Cringing much?! Dan: [laughs] It was a bit funny at the start, but we are enjoying it a bit more now. We are who we are... Dani: And we’re learning to make fun of ourselves!
It must be strange having people recognise you... Dani: It is. Dan just got recognised at the grocery store! People started off doing double takes, but now they actually just full-on stare at us — it’s a little bit weird.
Watching yourselves back, do you wish you’d done some things differently? Dan: We wouldn’t change a thing! Dani: Well, I may have toned down my freak-outs just a little bit since the show. I think it was all the pressure; it gets to you. Dan: And at the start I was carrying on a bit, because I was a bit over-excited to be on The Block. I copped a bit of flak for it, but I wouldn’t change it — it’s all good fun.
Speaking of good fun, Dani, last week you freaked out when you thought Dan was going to propose. What was THAT about? Dan: She did! [laughs] Dani: I honestly thought, just because of the whole competition, that there had to be an ulterior motive. I know — how bad is that! But it was nice. And I don’t see that side of Dan very much... Dan: That’s not true! She sees it every week — I don’t know what she’s talking about... [laughs]
It’s nice you did it. Because you were having a tough time the week before... Dani: Oh, we really were. If that week had happened later in the show, I don’t know if we would have made it. Because it would have been so hard to get over that, pick ourselves up and go on.
Shelley and Scott apply some paint pressure...
Filming wrapped a few weeks ago — do you still keep in contact with the other contestants? Dan: Absolutely. We catch up with Dale and Soph, cause they live here [in Melbourne]... Dani: And we caught up with the boys and Dale and Soph last night. Dan: Whenever they are down we always try to get together and have a few dinners. We do enjoy each other’s company — a lot more after the show!
So there was some tension during filming? Dani: Last week we had so much fun on that partner swap episode. We didn’t really get the opportunity to work with [Brad and Lara] again through the competition, and, if anything, our relationship with them grew quite tense. So it’s nice to be reminded that we do actually get along.
Do you think some of that tension has dissipated since filming finished? Dani: We definitely don’t feel that way anymore. We are not under those pressures anymore. It’s not a competition like it was. Now, it’s out of our hands and there is nothing we can do about it so the pressure is off, and we can relax and enjoy the whole experience we had.
Speaking of pressure — have you been getting lots from fans to propose to Dani, Dan? Dan: A lot of people will often ask what my plans are, and my response is, if I did do it, I would want to be in private. Dani: I was saying to Dan this week, it’s definitely not something that I would want to happen like that. Dan: If it does happen, it will be at our own time. But I tell you this, I have never heard her talk more about getting married. More now than ever! I walk in the door and there are wedding ring brochures on the table with circles around the rings. Dani: That is a lie! Dan: I don’t know how many hints I can get! [laughs]
Do you think doing the show has brought you guys closer as a couple? Dan: Oh yeah, absolutely. It tested us out on the show though... Dani: But we won’t break up over not completing a bathroom now!
So having watched the show, does it make you want to reassess what you do for a job? Dani: I actually resigned from my job last week!
Congratulations! Dani: Dan and I are going to start a renovation/design business. We really want to get into the ‘build’ side of things, and the design and styling side when it comes up. So that’s the plans for the future. We definitely want to make the most of what comes from the show. And I figure, I’m not going to have as big an opportunity as this. I don’t want to be 50 and have regretted not taking this opportunity when I was 25.
So The Block really has changed your life? Dani: The Block has changed everything about our lives — completely. Dan: I think a lot more to come as well. Dani: I am forever indebted to The Block for giving us this opportunity. Because no one gets to do this — and it came at such a good time in our lives.
