Are Jess and Norm still together? Budget Battlers reveal truth behind shock split they kept secret for three years

Budget Battlers Jess Eva and Norm Hogan are no longer together as a couple but that hasn't stopped them from teaming up to transform the lives of hardworking Aussies.

After 12 year together, Jess and Norm announced they'd officially split in April 2025 but they shared they'd actually parted for good three years earlier.

Speaking in an episode of Budget Battlers, the duo revealed why they broke up and shared why it works best for them and their kids Freddie, 11, and Matilda eight.

"Jess and I broke up three years ago," Norm told cameras.

"We just probably hit some stages where we probably weren't getting along as well as we were.

"We called it off at that point because we've got two kids."

Stream episodes of Budget Battlers for free on 9Now.

Jess and Norm continued to co-parent their son and daughter together in their Sydney home where they live and have remained the best of friends.

Norm spends a lot of time in Victoria caring for his parents, but stays with Jess and the kids when in Sydney.

Jess laughed that Norm even has his own bedroom and designated Moccona coffee jar, although he has to purchase that himself.

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"It's not the ideal world that mum and dad are not together but we try and make life the best for them and as happy as we can," Norm continued.

"We're still great mates and to be honest if we weren't great mates we wouldn't be doing this show together."

Jess concluded: "Love comes in every single way. We're not together together but I'll love you forever."

Jess previously told New Idea that in the year or so leading up to the split, the couple had been arguing a lot.

After having a mature conversation, they agreed they couldn't continue on the same romantic path together but wanted to remain the best of friends.

They then explained the decision to their children, describing the break-up as "best-friending" rather than splitting – and it was a conversation that went down well.

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The pair knew it was an unconventional break up, but wouldn't have it any other way.

"For me, a life without Norm in it isn't one I want to live, and he feels the same," Jess said. "Our relationship might not be conventional, but it works for us."

They have spoken out now to prove that the end of a relationship can be completely amicable when two people have love and respect for each other like they do.

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Jess, a radio host, and Norm, a builder, won Australia's hearts with their sense of humour and down-to-earth nature during Season 14 of The Block.

Eventually they walked away with $209,000 on Auction Day.

The duo first met outside a pizza shop on a night out 12 years ago, when Jess asked Norm for some of his pizza and he retorted that he would share if she gave him her number.

Together they lead Budget Battlers where each episode jess and Norm gear up with just $10,000 to $15,000 per home, a group of selfless qualified volunteers and only five working days, to inspire viewers with jaw-dropping transformations.

Budget Battler airs on Wednesdays at 7:30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.

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