Channel Nine’s record-breaking series The Block returns this weekend, with contestants facing their biggest challenge yet – converting an entire office block into apartments.

This year’s The Block: Glasshouse also features a familiar face, with ex-AFL footballer Darren Jolly taking on the mammoth challenge with his wife, Deanne.

Darren and Deanne Jolly have it out on The Block: Glasshouse but always make up. Photo: Nine

• New location for The Block once a murder scene
• Inside the Block’s brand new designer set

Deanne has already been labelled “Hurricane Dee”, with producers warning that the mother-of-two “has no filter”.

Despite tensions and bickering amongst teams on previous seasons, the outspoken blonde says that this year will be different.

“We kind of all went in naturally having this idea that we wanted everyone to do well. That took the competiveness out of it right from the start,’ says Jolly.

She doesn’t deny friction during the three months of construction, but says that teams were able to sort out their differences straight away.

“Whatever did happen amongst people, people worked it out really quickly and moved on, so there was nothing that hung around and spoilt the friendships.”

The stay-at-home-mum, who has a background in fashion, says that The Block has been a great chance for her to shine, after supporting her husband’s 237 game football career.

“Even though I wasn’t out there playing the games, I’m proud of what Daz achieved and I know my support helped him achieve that,” she says.

“I feel like that’s something we’ve achieved together even though 99 per cent of it’s what he’s done, but this is something that I’ve been able to contribute as well,” she says of their time of the show.

The Block: Glasshouse begins at 7.30pm, Sunday, on Channel Nine.

The couples

Maxine and Karstan

Event manager Maxine, 24, and coal miner Karstan, 26
Engaged for two years
Newcastle, NSW

Source: Channel Nine

Shannon and Simon

Painter Shannon, 35, and plumber Simon, 28
Brothers
Coffs Harbour, NSW

Source: Channel Nine

Jenna and Chris

Video editor Jenna, 26, and cabinet maker Chris, 24
Married for four and a half years
Campbelltown, NSW

Source: Channel Nine

Darren and Deanne

Builder Darren, 32, and stay-at-home mum Deanne, 42
Married for eight years with two daughters
Melbourne, VIC

Source: Channel Nine

Carlene and Michael

Communications officer Carlene, 31, and project manager Michael, 31
Married for seven years with two children
Gold Coast, QLD

Source: Channel Nine

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