Mustachioed artist Ricky Recard stars on screen as a winsome rascal in the latest season of The Block, complete with a heartbreaking backstory.
But his close-knit family in rural Victoria have hit back at the local heartthrob’s claims he had a “difficult” family life as a youngster.
The bitter family feud has caused Recard to cut off all contact with his relatives, who say they didn’t even know he had changed his name from Richard Blennerhasset to Richard.
Estranged father Martin Blennerhasset admits his eldest son left home on Christmas Day after an argument with his mother Debbie, leaving their relationship ‘strained’ ever since.
The father-of-three said it was hard to watch their son claim on The Block that he fled an abusive home as a teenager and “hasn’t had a real family for about 16 years”.
“I’m not proud of the night he left,” Mr Blennerhasset admitted to Daily Mail Australia. “I have vivid memories of the altercation he had with his mother.
‘But I want to be clear: I have never hit my children and I have never been violent.
‘There was no violence in our family, and as far as alcohol goes, I’m lucky if I drink three beers a week.’
Ricky’s mother Debbie was “devastated and saddened” by Recard’s claims on TV, he said.
“She is very vulnerable at the moment, it is a difficult time for all of us,” Mr Blennerhasset said.
The Blocks Ricky claimed he grew up in an environment filled with alcohol and violence
Debbie and Martin Blennerhasset hope to one day be able to reconnect with their eldest son
The couple remain close with their younger children Tom and Melanie, who are also estranged from their older brother, a reality star.
“Melanie called a few weeks ago and introduced herself to Rick, but he hung up,” Mr Blennerhasset revealed.
“I am very disappointed that Channel Nine did not do its due diligence in checking his backstory.”
The family was shocked to learn that The Block contestant had even changed his name from Richard John Blennerhasset to Ricky Recard.
“He changed his name legally, right? To what?” he asked.
Despite their disappointment over what they call a misrepresentation of their family life, Ricky’s parents still hope that one day they can bury the hatchet with him.
“We still love him and are proud of him, he is a very alert young man,” said Mr Blennerhasset.
“It’s never too late to reconnect, there’s no doubt his family loves him.”
Ricky Recard, left, has impressed female fans after joining The Block, alongside his best mate Haydn Wise (pictured) in the yellow team
His heartbreaking ex-girlfriend Lauren Smith (pictured) says she was ‘overwhelmed’ after looking after his dog and house-sitting for three months while he was busy filming The Block.
The bombshell came after Daily Mail Australia revealed that Recard left his girlfriend Lauren Smith for married make-up artist Erin Lee after they met on the show.
Mrs Smith said she looked after Ricky’s dogs and his home for three months while he filmed the series, but he broke off the relationship shortly afterwards.
On The Fox program Fifi Fev & Nick, co-host Brendan Fevola asked Recard on Tuesday if he was a lover rat, but the reality star insisted he thought that was ‘a bit harsh’.
He added: ‘I have nothing bad to say about her [Smith].
‘I was lucky enough to meet Erin just before The Block started filming, on one of the launch days we had there [Phillip Island].
“The Block is apparently good for a few things. It’s not just building dream homes for potential families, but also a love story there. We’re very happy.”
