The Block’s Ricky Recard has revealed the tragic personal loss that prompted him to audition for Nine’s ratings hit.
The 34-year-old plumber said he wanted to pay tribute to his buddy Lachey, who was killed by a drunk driver in 2012 at the age of 23.
“I hope at the end of his life he will stand there and cheer me on and say, ‘Well done mate, you couldn’t have given more’,” he said.
Interviewed for the latest edition of New ideaRicky said it took him many months to come to terms with the loss.
In a heartbreaking confession, the fan favourite said he regularly visited the cemetery where his mate was buried to cry at the grave.
“Over time I knew that Lachey didn’t want me to be crying at his grave,” Ricky explained.
Ricky, who works at Block with his best friend, IT manager Haydn (37), says that after his buddy’s life ended abruptly, he wanted to make the most of every opportunity that arose.
“That’s something I’ve been doing since 2012,” he continued. “I’ve made sure I grab everything with both hands. I never walk past an open door without at least looking at it.”
The Block’s Ricky Recard has revealed it was a tragic personal loss that prompted him to audition for Nine’s ratings hit. The 34-year-old plumber said he wanted to honour his mate Lachey, who was killed by a drink driver in 2012 at the age of 23. Pictured: Ricky
It comes after the Melbourne resident responded to viewers who called him the heartthrob in the highly anticipated 20th anniversary series of The Block.
As the competition has kicked off, Ricky has already won over a large number of fans, with many viewers calling him their ‘celebrity crush’ because of their appearance.
Fans are also charmed by his positive attitude and cheeky sense of humor, calling Ricky’s Yellow Team their favorite on social media.
Interviewed for the latest edition of New Idea, Ricky said it took him many months to get over the loss. Pictured: Ricky and Haydn. The pair have proven to be fan favourites this season
In response to the backlash, the beloved plumber laughed off the fact that he was called a celebrity crush, modestly insisting that he wasn’t flashy enough to be labeled that way.
“I don’t know if I really consider myself a celebrity,” he said Yahoo Lifestyle. ‘I think as a celebrity you should have an honest resume, right? Like Shelley [Craft]she’s got the list – Saturday Disney for years, Funniest Home Videos, The Block.
“She’s an Australian icon and I’m just an absolute nobody. But if people want to have a crush on me, that’s cool. I appreciate the love.”
On The Block, Ricky also revealed that presenter Shelley, 48, actually has a celebrity crush on him, telling how blown away he was when he met her in real life.
“She’s so sweet,” he enthused. “That was probably a moment for me, I was like, wow, I’m really rubbing shoulders [with her] and I’m actually talking to her!’
Just days after The Block returned to the big screen, fans were clamoring for Ricky and Haydn to be crowned the winners of the 2024 series.
A fan showed on Instagram that they are the big favorites: ‘Ricky and Hayden win!’
“Ricky was so cute,” another commented, while a third added: “I have a crush on Ricky now.”
Despite fans clamoring for their victory, the duo recently insisted they had no plan. In a recent scene, they admitted, “We’re just taking a chance.”
Now that the competition has started, Ricky has gained a huge fan base, with many viewers calling him their celebrity crush as they have commented on his appearance.