A record-breaking faux pas!

steph gian auctionNine


Dave “Hughesy” Hughes has alleged that a bidding mistake during Steph and Gian Ottavio‘s The Block auction contributed to the couple’s history-making win.

ICYMI: The 27-year-old childhood sweethearts pocketed $1.65 million plus $100,000 in prize money after their Charming Street home sold for $5 million on November 4.

Serial The Block property buyer Danny Wallis kicked the bidding off. However, he eventually lost out to LMCT+ founder Adrian Portelli.

dave hughes the block 2023 auctionDave “Hughesy” Hughes alleged that there was a bidding mistake during Steph and Gian Ottavio’s The Block auction. Source: Nine

During a chat with Steph and Gian on Hughesy, Ed & Erin on November 6, Hughesy — who attended the auctions — spilled some little-known tea about the opening bid.

“Can I tell you, the first bid that came from Danny, you know how it was $650,000 over the reserve [$3.35 million]?” he started. “His people told me straight afterwards [that] he’d made a mistake”.

According to the radio personality, Danny was “meant to” bid $2,999,000 and accidentally said $3,999,999.

“Danny didn’t have that money,” Hughesy continued. “So his mistake got the ball rolling.

“It was a good mistake for you guys, especially when it mean that [the house was at] $5 million before you knew it.”

Everyone say, “Thanks Danny”!

danny wallisDave claimed that Danny Wallis’ opening bid was a “mistake”. Source: Nine

Did The Block‘s Steph and Gian know Adrian Portelli wanted to buy their property?

When asked whether they knew Adrian was interested in their made-over home, Steph and Gian said they had no clue.

“None of the contestants were able to have any contact with Adrian nor Danny,” Gian explained. “So we were really going into these auctions not knowing where their head was at with the properties.”

steph gian the block adrian portelliGian said they weren’t aware that Adrian was interested in buying their property. Source: Nine

Steph later clarified that the teams “weren’t not allowed” to contact the cashed-up bidders.

“It’s just hard to get in contact with those sorts of people,” she said. “So naturally, I think they were quite protected.

“But if somehow we ran into them, I’m sure it would have been fine.”

The winning couple’s radio chat comes after they teased “big things” are in the “pipeline” now that they’re $1.75 million richer.