You might know Scott Cam as the larrikin host of The Block but there’s a lot more to the Aussie tradie-turned-TV host than meets the eyes.

From the tragedy that shaped his life to the chance meeting that flipped his career on its head, we’re taking a look back at the 62-year-old’s life on and off the tools.
(Instagram @scottcamofficial)

Scotty’s early life and tradie career

Born and raised in Bondi, Scotty took up carpentry after his father Allan suggested it.

“I was no good at school, but I was good with my hands, so Dad suggested I learn carpentry with my older brother, Brad, in our garage,” he told Sydney Morning Herald.

After working with brother Brad for a while, Scotty decided to work on the road and travelled around Australia for a few years in his early 20s.
Baby Scotty with his mum. (Instagram)
He travelled around Australia doing carpentry in the bush as well as some work building boats.

Scotty returned to Sydney in his late 20s and started his own carpentry business where he had up to four employees and plenty of apprentices through the doors.

Tragedy forces Scott to return home

After receiving the tragic news that his father Allan had passed away at just 53, Scotty returned back home to Sydney after he’d been travelling and working around Australia.

Scotty described his father’s death at young age as “a great shock”.

He stayed with his mum while the family dealt with the loss.
Young Scotty! (Instagram)
While the circumstances were heartbreaking, little did Scott know that his return home would lead him to the love of his life…

Married life with Scotty and Ann

While staying with his mum in Sydney after his dad’s passing, Scotty drove out to the Blue Mountains to watch some mates play footy.

There he spotted his now wife Ann chatting on the sidelines and instantly fell in love.

It was love at first sight for Scotty. “I went home and told my mum I’d met the girl I was going to marry,” he told Woman’s Day.
Scotty and Ann back in the day! (Instagram @scottycamofficial)
While Scotty wished he had a more romantic proposal story to tell, he explained that they were already living together and he simply said he’d like to get married and Ann agreed.

Scotty married school teacher Ann back in 1992 and it’s been 33 years of wedded bliss ever since.

Ann has kept out of the limelight but that hasn’t stopped proud husband Scotty from sharing some gems about their relationship over the years.
Ann and Scott pose for a photo during 2024 Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington Racecourse. (Getty)

Fatherhood and Scotty

Scotty and Ann welcomed their first child, a son Charlie in 1996.

By 1999, the couple had their hands full when twins Billy and Sarah arrived.

Now 29, Charlie is a father himself. Charlie is an engineer, with proud dad Scotty posting at his graduation back in 2022.
Scott is a family man first and foremost. (Instagram @scottycamofficial)
“Proud parents today, first son has graduated from uni with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering with First Class Honours and Bachelor of Business with Distinction. My heart is full,” Scotty captioned the photo at the time.

Twins Billy and Sarah have spent years travelling abroad and have also graduated from uni, Billy with a Bachelor of Business and Sarah with a Bachelor of Management.
Scotty and his kids, Charlie, Billy and Sarah. (Instagram)
Above everything, Scotty is a family man. He’s always posting about his kids and his “one condition” as host of The Block is that he stays in a place where his family can come down on weekends and visit.

“It’s got to be four bedrooms, because all my kids come and visit me, and their partners, for four or five days,” he explained to 9Entertainment.

Scotty gets scouted for TV at the pub – 1999

Scotty got his big TV break when he was 37.

He was still working as a carpenter and stopped by the pub for a schooner when a TV producer approached him.

“He [the producer] came up to me and said, ‘I’m looking for a carpenter for a TV show, I saw your ute – do you wanna do a screen test?’ And I said, ‘No thanks mate’,” Scotty retold the story on an episode of The Hundred with Andy Lee.

Even after Scotty declined the opportunity, the producer called him the next day after getting his phone number from his ute and convinced him to do a screen test.

A month later Scotty got the job and started shooting a pilot for Backyard Blitz.

Scotty makes his TV debut on Backyard Blitz – 2000

In 2000, Scotty made his TV presenting debut on Backyard Blitz, a Logie winning lifestyle and DIY program.

Scotty was the show’s resident builder and carpenter alongside the other three regular presenters: landscaper Jamie Durie, landscaper Nigel Ruck and horticulturist Jody Rigby.

The show aired until 2007.
Scotty appeared on Backyard Blitz with Jody Rigby, Jamie Durie and Nigel Ruck. (Nine)

Scott and Shelley team up on Domestic Blitz – 2008

When spin-off show Domestic Blitz kicked off in 2008, it saw the start of one of TV’s most dynamic duos Scott Cam and Shelley Craft.

For the show’s four-season run until 2010, Scott and Shelley would surprise deserving families often facing hardship or illness with house and backyard makeovers.
Scott and Shelley filming Domestic Blitz. (Nine)
Fast forward 18 years and Scott and Shelley are still hosting together on The Block.

Scotty takes on The Block – 2010

While The Block premiered in 2003 with original host Jamie Durie, Scotty came along after the show had a six year break.

In 2010 the reno show returned to screens with a bang and with new host Scott at the forefront.

“Having been a builder for 30 odd years, I’ve seen my fair share of renos but tonight you’re going to see eight ordinary people do extraordinary things,” a fresh-faced Scotty beamed in his intro.

Scotty wins the Gold Logie – 2014

In 2014 Scotty took out the coveted Gold Logie for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television.

“Well, this is really unbelievable,” Scotty said as he accepted the award.

But his Logie didn’t just go up on the mantle to take pride of place – nope, Scotty turned it into something any tradie would consider practical: a bottle opener.

He calls it the “gold stubby opener” and it’s an easy way to show it off to your mates when they come over, rather than just pulling it off the shelf.
In 2014 Scotty took out the coveted Gold Logie for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television. (AAP)

Man’s best friend

If there’s one thing Scotty can’t live without it’s a dog in his life. The Block host has had a dog since the day he was born.

“We’ve always had a dog in the family and I’ve always had a dog in my adult life,” he told 9Honey.
Scotty with his late pooch Rosie (left) and Frankie (right). (Instagram @scottcamofficial)
Growing up he had Barney, Buffy, Clarrie and as an adult he owned Lizzie, Rosie and now Frankie the Kelpie who you’ll often see around The Block.

Lizzie and Rosie both sadly passed away, and on The Hundred Scott said he had both dogs taxidermied to keep their memory alive.

Scotty debunks a rumour about his real name

There’s long been a rumour that Scott Cam is not his real name and that his surname is actually Caminetti.

That is kind of true.

Scotty confirmed to 9Entertainment that Scott Cam is in fact the name on his birth certificate but Caminetti is a family name that comes from his Italian roots but it was shortened before Scotty was even born.
The name is Cam, Scott Cam. (Nine)
“My father’s side was Italian, they came here in 1882,” Cam explained. “So been here for five or six generations and the name was changed during the war ’cause we’re fishermen, our family – my dad and his dad, and his dad.

“And so because the Italians were the enemy during the war they changed the name of the business to ‘Cam and Sons’ from ‘Caminetti and Sons.’ So my dad, he was Alan Cam. It was changed before I was even born.”

Meet Poppy Scotty

Scotty became a grandpa in March 2025 when his son Charlie and his partner Amber welcome a beautiful baby girl named Tiggy.

In May 2025, Scotty took to Instagram to share the special milestone with his 122,000 followers.
Scotty holds his beautiful granddaughter Tiggy in his arms back in March 2025. (Instagram @scottcamofficial)
“As of 5 weeks ago, I became a grandfather to beautiful Tiggy,” Scott captioned a photo of him holding his first grandchild.

“I’m so proud of Charlie and Amber, she is absolutely gorgeous.”

Speaking to 9Entertainment, Scotty said he was lapping up this new phase in life as a poppy.
Seeing double! (Instagram @scottycamofficial)
“My wife [Ann] and I are so excited to welcome her to the world, she’s extremely beautiful,” he said,.

“My 92-year-old mother reckons [Tiggy] looks like me as a baby and in actual fact, I feel as though she does look like me when I see pictures,” he laughed.

Scotty on The Block 2025

Scott is currently hosting the 21st and his 19th season of The Block in Daylesford, country Victoria.

Every year since hosting The Block, Scotty has moved his life from Sydney to Melbourne where they’ll film the show for three months.
This is Scotty’s 19th season of The Block and counting! (Nine)
For Scotty, he loves nothing more than seeing the Blockheads work hard and getting to check out the local Aussie towns.

The end is in sight for this year’s Blockheads who are building their alfresco and shed this week.