Hughesy’s purchase decides The Block

VICTORIAN couple Elyse Knowles and Josh Barker have won The Block – and it is all because of Dave Hughes.

The comedian bought the young couple’s renovated fivebedroom house in Elsternwick for $3.067 million on Saturday.

That was $447,000 over the pair’s reserve of $2.62 million at 46A Regent St, giving them the win and an extra $100,000 in prize money for a $547,000 total.

Theirs was the first house up for auction.

“Hughesy has changed our lives,” Elyse said. “He’s bought our home and so we are very grateful.”

Hughes, who lives in St Kilda with wife Holly and their three children, was at the auction, and said it was an investment property rather than a new family home.

“I’m really excited,” Hughes said. “It is a brilliant house in a brilliant spot.”

The other teams weren’t so lucky on what turned out to be a rollercoaster finale of the reality-TV show, which took place on a Saturday when there was a record 1700 auctions across Melbourne.

Sarah and Jason pocketed a healthy $347,000 when their house at 46E Regent St, the second to be auctioned, sold for $3.007 million.

None of the other homes got near the $3 million mark.

Sticks and Wombat had to split a disappointing $130,000 when their house at 46B sold for $2.65 million.