Mat from the popular television series The Block has announced that he is expecting his first child, a significant milestone following a challenging seven-year journey with in vitro fertilization (IVF). The announcement comes shortly after fellow contestants Emma and Ben revealed the birth of their son, Bailey Colter Cox. Mat shared the exciting news through a heartfelt Instagram video, where he surprised his family with the news that they will welcome a baby boy on December 18, 2023.
In the video, the 41-year-old hairdresser presented a shopping bag to his mother, father, and sister, teasing them about the surprise inside. As they pulled out a blue baby onesie, Mat joyfully proclaimed, “I’m having a baby! You’re going to be a granny, and you’re going to be an aunty!” His enthusiasm was palpable, marking a joyous moment for his family.
Journey to Parenthood
Mat has partnered with his close friend, Leah Cocks, in this new chapter of their lives. The two have known each other for 20 years, with their friendship blossoming when Leah visited Mat’s salon. In an interview with New Idea, Mat expressed his long-standing desire to become a father, particularly now that he is in a different stage of his life.
The path to pregnancy was not straightforward. The couple faced numerous medical challenges throughout their seven-year endeavor to conceive. Mat revealed that Leah discovered she was pregnant after a round of IVF during the initial week of filming The Block. She chose to wait until Mat returned home to Adelaide to share the news, at which point she was already three months along.
“I wouldn’t have done it with just anyone. It’s only because it’s her,” Mat stated, emphasizing the strength of their bond and the significance of this journey together.
Community Support and Excitement
Since sharing the announcement, Mat’s post has garnered a flurry of supportive messages from friends, family, and co-stars. Shelley Craft, the host of The Block, commented enthusiastically, “Aaaammmmaaazzzzinnggg NEWS!!!” Another follower added, “Hair daddy is gonna be an ACTUAL DADDY!” The excitement has clearly resonated throughout the The Block community, with many expressing their joy over the new addition.
Mat’s colleague, Alicia, also shared her excitement on social media, stating, “SURPRISE!!! I’m so f**king excited for my Block bestie. You’re going to be the most amazing Dad! We can’t wait to meet our new little mate!”
This announcement comes just ahead of the auction for the houses featured in this season of The Block, which will take place on October 25, 2023 and will be aired on Channel 9 the following evening. As Mat prepares for this new chapter in his life, the enthusiasm and support from his community continue to highlight the joy surrounding their impending parenthood.
