EXCLUSIVE: Keith Schleiger spills on the new project and whether he’d return to The Block.

The Block’s Foreman Keith Schleiger has announced his return to TV. Photos: Channel 9 / Supplied

Just over a year after he stepped back from his full-time role on The Block, Foreman Keith Schleiger has announced his surprise return to the spotlight with a brand new project. The tradie-turned-TV personality, who appeared on 16 seasons of the popular reality show, recently went viral after leaked footage teased his potential return to the televised construction site.

It’s since been revealed that Keith has been appointed as Golden Gaytime’s first-ever Foreman of Workplace Hunger and the face of the new Golden Gaytime Slab, a generous frozen sandwich built for a big hunger. ‘The Blockinator’ explains to Yahoo Lifestyle that his new role involves making sure that the snacks in Australia’s worksites and offices are “big enough for every worker”.

“It’s a very important job and I’m taking it very seriously,” he details. “I’ve got rid of the clipboard, got rid of the steel caps, and I’ve got an ice cream in my hand, which we now call a frozen sandwich, not an ice cream, and I am totally enjoying the role.”

Keith, who confesses he “probably went through about 10 frozen sandwiches” while filming the TV advert, says he didn’t need much convincing to take on the role.

“I must admit, when I saw the script, I started laughing straight away,” he recalls. “It was quite a demanding job. I had to be very vigilant around all these workplaces, making sure they provided their workers with good enough snacks. We came along and we loaded their freezers with Golden Gaytime slabs, and now we’re guaranteeing that Australia’s workers won’t be hungry when they have a snack.”

Keith has been appointed as Golden Gaytime’s first-ever Foreman of Workplace Hunger. Photo: Supplied

Why did Foreman Keith quit The Block?

After being on the show for over 12 years, Keith explains that he decided to leave in 2024 so he could prioritise his family.

“I have missed The Block a little bit, but it’s enabled me to spend more time with my children,” he shares. “I think if I had done the last two [seasons], I would have rarely seen my kids. It would have been once a week or once a fortnight.

“My children need me at the moment, and it just would have made it a bit hard shooting at Daylesford and Phillip Island. It would have been too difficult.”

Would Foreman Keith return to The Block?

While Dan Reilly has since taken over as The Block’s foreman, Keith says he would never rule out a return to the series — especially if the filming location is closer to Melbourne.

“I definitely do miss filming. I miss being around all the crew and everything like that,” he remarks. “But it’s been nice to play golf a bit more regularly since I’ve left The Block, and my kids are seeing a lot more of me, which is sort of working well at the moment. I’m doing my own building, going at my own pace, and I’m enjoying that also.”