“He was someone who uplifted me to have a go at everything, especially as a woman.”

The Block 2024‘s Paige Beechey has defended the show’s builder, Zak Sydenham, after fans called him “misogynistic”.

During the September 17 episode, Zak, who was formerly Paige and Jesse Maguire‘s builder before they quit, left the show after his new team, Maddy and Charlotte Harry, called him “intimidating”.

After witnessing his behaviour on-screen, fans took to social media to call him out for “mistreating” women, with many threatening to boycott his business.

However, Paige stood up for Zak in a fan group on Facebook, stating he was different in real life to the way he was portrayed on the show.

The Block 2024’s Paige Beechey has defended the show’s builder, Zak Sydenham, after fans called him “misogynistic”. Source: Nine
“From my personal experience, Zak was nothing but a passionate, respectful, hardworking member of our team. I found him very approachable and easy to talk to, even as a woman,” she started.

“He didn’t have a single issue when I spoke to him, asked for his help or even told him how I wanted things to go on site. He was always there with open ears, a logical approach and an amazing attitude.”

The 27-year-old also called the builder “patient”, stating he “built [her] confidence” when she was learning to use new tools.

“God knows he didn’t have the time, but he was someone who uplifted me to have a go at everything, especially as a woman,” she added.

The Block‘s Paige Beechey says she had a ‘fantastic’ relationship with controversial builder Zak

The reality star also said she had a “fantastic relationship” with Zak, where they would “work under immense pressure together” whilst “having a laugh”.

“As a ‘client’, I never batted an eye at the way he spoke or interacted with anyone. He was there when I needed a shoulder to cry on, when I needed to vent, and to pull my head back in the game when I needed it.

“He was also a fan favourite amongst everyone on that site and very well respected.”

She added that she wanted to share the side of Zak that fans didn’t get to see.

“It’s not to undermine any experience that Maddy and Charlotte felt because what’s real for them is real, and I sympathise with their position, but it’s to bring humanity back to all of this and implore you to remember that there are more sides to what you watch every night,” she wrote.

Paige urged people to stop “bashing” Zak in a fan Facebook group. Source: Facebook

“Be more perceptive and don’t attack a business on a small island based on one experience on a TV show… You don’t bash any local tradesperson giving up their life, leisure, family and sanity to help out.”

She stated that Zak and the sisters “deserve big kudos for everything they did, regardless of how it turned out.”

The Block fans are DIVIDED by Paige’s defence of Zak

Fans took to the comments section to thank Paige for sharing her experience with Zak.

“There’s always two sides to a story,” one user wrote. “I think he was as uncomfortable around the girls as much as they were around him. Time to grow up and move on now and stop attacking his business.”

Another said: “Not being a ‘good fit’ happens in everything, for example, your doctor, your cleaner, etc. It’s no reflection on either. It just is!”

A third added, “TV editing can be cruel and make the contestants look bad. I hope you’re being kind to yourself.”

Fans were divided about Zak, with many claiming his behaviour towards Charlotte and Maddy Harry was “problematic”. Source: Nine
Others disagreed, stating that Zak’s behaviour was undeniably problematic.

“All these people defending the indefensible. He was rude. We all are sometimes, but he did it on a format for all to see. Move on,” one retorted

“That was your experience [Paige], and all good and well, but this isn’t the girls’ experience. Not the girls bagging him, he brought this on himself,” another penned.

“Do you think the way he spoke to the girls in a dismissive, arrogant manner was helpful?” a third asked.

“They apologised, he didn’t. It’s not the girls’ fault. Have they been perfect in every interaction? Probably not. But at least they were willing to apologise and move on positively.”