The Block is now in full swing and while the drama on screen is (mostly) building-related, off screen a new story is unfolding.
Two of the fan favourites from this season are Melbourne lads Ricky Recard and Haydn Wise. The boys gained a following with their heartfelt stories, humour and spunky sense of style.
The show even featured part of Wise’s personal life as he welcomed his first child with wife Chelsea. Viewers tuned in as Wise was flown off Block Island and to the hospital via helicopter.
But now, it’s Recard’s personal life that is making headlines.
What happened with Ricky Recard and his ex-girlfriend?
Recard’s ex-girlfriend Lauren Smith has claimed that the plumber left her “blindsided” when he broke up with her shortly after filming, and before they had planned to go on her birthday trip to Mexico.
“I spent three months looking after his dogs and his house while also helping his employee with the business. I was absolutely blindsided,” she told Daily Mail.
Recard now appears to be dating The Block makeup artist, Erin Lee.
“We were due to go [on the holiday] at the beginning of July for my 30th birthday but we broke up about two weeks after he got back from filming,” Smith told Daily Mail.
“I found out while I was in Mexico that he had apparently begun a relationship with Erin during the time I was away.”
Is Erin Lee married?
Lee’s ex-husband has also shared some insight into the timeline of events, clarifying things between the two of them were over when Lee began dating Recard.
“We are separated now and I’ve dealt with it,” he told Daily Mail.
“They got together after we split when he got back from Mexico in July and we were done then.”
Have Ricky Recard or Erin Lee spoken about their relationship?
Lee has shared a sweet selfie with Recard to her Instagram alongside the caption, “Sometimes the path we never planned leads us to brighter things and the happiness we always needed. Trust the journey.”
Recard opened up about their relationship in a new interview on Melbourne breakfast show The Fox’s Fifi, Fev & Nick.
Speaking about his exes claims he said, “I was pretty shocked. I’m shocked when anyone goes to the media about that sort of stuff, that’s not really my style. I don’t have anything bad to say about her.”
“I was lucky enough to meet Erin (current girlfriend) just before filming started on The Block, on one of the launching days we had down there (in Phillip Island),” he continued.
When asked if it was his “kit” that Lee fell for, he said, “It wasn’t the kit mate, I’m not sure what she fell in love with to be honest with you. The Block is apparently good for a couple of things, it’s not only building dream houses for potential families but also a love story there as well. We’re very happy.”
