Adrian Portelli has warned My Reno Rules entrants to answer their phones, with a missed call during the live finale enough to cost them a $2m prize.
Adrian Portelli has told My Reno Rules entrants to keep their phones close, with a missed call during the live finale enough to cost them a $2m cash prize or a renovated Melbourne home.
The billionaire LMCT+ founder responded to criticism on Instagram after some entrants questioned a strict 180-second rule attached to the Channel 7 renovation show’s first season finale.
Under the giveaway rules, two winners will be called live during the broadcast.
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If they do not answer while the phone is ringing, or call back within three minutes, the prize is forfeited and another winner is drawn.
Portelli said the rule was needed to avoid the live broadcast ending without a confirmed winner.
“Okay, we’ve got some unhappy people, which is totally fine. I get it,” Portelli said on Instagram.
“I see where you’re coming from about how we’re drawing the prizes for this Tuesday’s My Reno Rules grand finale on Channel 7.
“Now I’m giving away two houses or $2m lots.
“And if the winner doesn’t answer within three minutes, they forfeit the prize and we go on to the next person.”
My Reno Rules will wrap its first season on Seven with two renovated Bulleen homes and a $1m contestant prize on the line. Picture: Seven
Portelli said the live nature of the finale meant organisers could not risk being unable to reach a winner on air.
“The reason why we’re doing it is because it’s on live national TV, I’ve dumped tens of millions of dollars into this project.” he said.
“And the last thing I need is someone not answering their phone and I end the show with, ‘oh well, sorry guys, we couldn’t get in touch with the winner’, and then you get all the sceptics and everyone come out of the woodwork and say, ‘what a f—ing shit show’.
“What a shit ending, the person didn’t even answer and how do we know it was even given away?”
Portelli urged entrants to make sure they, or someone they trusted, could answer the phone during the Seven broadcast.
“For one night and one night only, please just have your phone, divert your phone, do whatever you have to do to ensure that someone can answer your phone in that time if it was to ring,” he said.
The giveaway is linked to the two renovated homes at 54 and 56 Pinnacle Cres, Bulleen.
Each property is valued at about $2.5m, although winners will have 24 hours to choose whether to take the house or a $2m cash alternative.
My Reno Rules judges Neale Whitaker, Julia Green and Simon Cohen will help decide which renovation team claims the show’s $1m top prize.
My Reno Rules has delivered a modest first season for Seven, but its live finale will carry high stakes for contestants and viewers.
Portelli said the criticism was not a widespread public backlash, but he still wanted to address the concerns.
“This isn’t an uproar from the public of what we’re doing,” he said.
“There’s a few people that are upset.
“But I still like to address it, because that’s how I run my businesses. I listen.”
Portelli said he was hearing the concerns and taking them on board before the finale.
“So, no, it’s not an uproar of rage, but there are some people that are unhappy,” he said.
“I’m listening, I’m hearing, and I’m taking that on board and addressing how we can rectify these issues.
“Or giving them ample time to make arrangements and ensure that, if they do win, there are systems in place where they can answer their phone and they won’t forfeit the prize.”
The My Reno Rules cast at rehearsals ahead of Tuesday’s live finale, where two viewers and the winning renovation team will be revealed.
The first season finale will also crown the winning renovation team, with Nathan and Julia, Emma and Michelle, Mitch and Shaz, and Franky and Isaac all still in contention.
The winning team will receive $1m, while no team will leave empty-handed.
Second place will receive $250,000, third place will receive $100,000 and fourth place will receive $50,000.
The two Bulleen homes have been transformed throughout the first season of the renovation show, which is hosted by Chris Brown.
Entries for the LMCT+ giveaway closed at 5pm AEST, ahead of the live finale from 7.30pm on Seven and 7plus.
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