"The ultimate fixer-upper": Shaynna Blaze and Darren Palmer launch new series 1 Euro House

Could this be The Block on steroids? In Nine’s next renovation series, 1 Euro House, beloved Block judges Shaynna Blaze and Darren Palmer take on what could well be the world’s cheapest fixer-upper.

At the recent Nine Upfronts, an event where next year’s programming is revealed, the audience was treated to sweeping aerial shots of rolling hills, terracotta rooftops and azure sea, with a booming voiceover announcing, “Shaynna and Darren bought a house for just €1.”

In the teaser clip, Darren Palmer bursts out laughing, saying, “This is so much worse than I thought!” when he’s confronted with the crumbling, centuries-old  Sicilian stone house that he and fellow designer Blaze will transform.

In parts of Europe, including Sicily, an island south of the Italian mainland, it really is possible to buy a dilapidated period home for as little as €1 ($1.80).

While you can barely treat yourself to a chocolate bar for that amount, these property initiatives – which are intended to preserve abandoned historic homes for their cultural significance while simultaneously repopulating regional villages – come with all the bills such a major restoration entails, so you still need deep pockets.

There’s also the expectation that buyers will complete their projects within three years, so land-banking is not allowed.

Blaze and Palmer’s €1 house is located in the ancient village of Castronovo, where archaeological evidence shows humans have lived since the fifth century BCE.

Generally, unrenovated property in Castronovo can range from around €11,000 to €250,000, while an established villa will set you back €470,000.

Often, those who tackle the cheap restorations then use them as holiday rentals or bed-and-breakfast ventures, with an Airbnb search showing that many in the region are asking around $700 per night.

The 1 Euro House announcement comes on the back of rumours that there may be a celebrity instalment of The Block, potentially set in a glamorous location like Dubai, Italy or Monaco, which shows the producers are open to renovating their winning format.

“We’ve been working for months,” Palmer revealed to his Instagram followers. The show will feature the pair teaming up with local Italian artisans to incorporate handcrafted designs and custom furniture, showcasing the cultural richness of the region.

When Blaze revealed her participation in the show to her followers, many of her design-diehard fans referred to a similar British show.

“You can ask Allen & Amanda for tips,” one said, referring to the BBC’s Alan Carr and Amanda Holden, who have undertaken renovations of €1 homes in Sicily, northern Tuscany and Spain.

A spokesperson for Nine says 1 Euro House will be much more than just a makeover program, as it “explores the richness of Italian life, blending travel, culture and friendship”. Or, as Blaze put it, “Travel + renovation + Italy = what’s not to AMORE?”