John McGrath's high praise for The Block Glasshouse

The property veteran John McGrath has inspected the latest The Block Glasshouse apartments.

His conclusion, having been associated with The Block through the nine series since the original 2003 version, was emphatic.

"This is the biggest and best by far," he said.

McGrath has done brief cameos in recent series but for many years, until 2013's The Block All Stars, he was a weekly room reveal judge. He was replaced by Darren Palmer, who joined Shaynna Blaze and Neale Whitaker, the former editor of Belle magazine.

Meanwhile Whitaker has accepted a role with NewsLifeMedia’s lifestyle brand Vogue Living, and will also be a columnist for News Corp’s Sunday papers in Australia.

Whitaker's new job has yet to be acknowledged by the Scott Cam voiceover on The Block.

Bauer Media recently appointed Tanya Buchanan as editor of Belle magazine, which is set to celebrate 40 years of continuous publication.

The latest Audit Bureau of Circulation figures revealed Belle's circulation at 45,000 copies.