Jess Eva explains why ex-husband Norm Hogan is stepping away from new season of Budget Battlers

Exclusive: Everyone’s favourite reno duo will look a little different heading into season three of Budget Battlers, as Jess Eva confirms Norm Hogan is stepping away from the show.

Speaking to nine.com.au, Jess has officially cleared the air on why her ex-husband and long-time screen partner, Norm, won’t be joining her on screens this year.

Before audiences start stressing about any behind-the-scenes falling out, Jess wants to set the record straight – there is zero drama here.

In fact, the reason Norm won’t be on screens comes down to the same cost-of-living squeeze hitting families right across the country.

When asked about Norm’s absence, Jess answered: “The cost of living prices. Not even joking. One of us had to [step back] because we’ve got the kids and we’re away, and so we pretty much played for scissors, paper, rock for who was staying home.”

Jess explained that with non-stop filming trips across Australia, having both of them away from home was simply costing them too much in childcare and travel.

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After 12 years together, Jess and Norm split in 2022, though they didn’t make it public until 2025.

Since their split, the pair have famously mastered co-parenting their two children, Freddie, 12, and Matilda, nine, choosing what they call “best-friending” over a messy breakup.

To make sure the kids have a parent grounded at home, Norm made the sensible call to step back, focus on his local building business in country Victoria, and hold down the fort while Jess travels.

It’s an unconventional setup, but putting family first is nothing new for these two. In fact, Jess says parenting with Norm is easier now they’re no longer a couple.

“I think it is harder to co-parent when you’re married because you’re like, who’s gonna put out the bins today, or who’s gonna take the kids to the school today? So it’s actually just a normal process,” Jess said.

Even without Norm by her side on camera, Jess is hitting the ground running when Budget Battlers returns Wednesday, October 28, at 7.30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.

Armed with a shoestring budget of just $10,000 and a brutal five-day turnaround, Jess is once again rallying a champion squad to pull off seemingly impossible transformations.

Joining Jess on the road are social media favourite Luke Moore – known to fans as Reno Dad – alongside Brooke Triplett from She Sells and The Real Housewives of Sydney star Melissa Tkautz.

Jess couldn’t sing Melissa’s praises loudly enough, laughing about how the glamorous reality star blew everyone away by hunting down showstopping bargains at Kmart, the Reject Shop, and the Salvos.

The ever-reliable volunteer tradie dream team is also back in full swing, with foreman Leigh, Moncur, Lawts, and Glen returning to get down and dirty on the tools.

The team wastes no time diving into the deep end, kicking off the premiere in Warracknabeal, Victoria, to help a devoted young mum raising four children on her own.

From there, they roll into Newcastle to spoil a selfless carer who has spent years putting everyone else before herself.

They also tackle their most ambitious challenge to date on the Sunshine Coast, transforming an entire 18-bedroom apartment complex for hospital accommodation charity Wishlist.

What makes the show truly special is Jess’s refusal to sell out, having turned down big-name corporate sponsors that don’t genuinely align with everyday battlers.

“If a sponsor doesn’t genuinely want to roll up their sleeves and help everyday Aussies doing it tough, we simply don’t want them,” Jess said.

Instead, the crew of stay in modest motels and lean on hands-on local volunteers who actually want to help Aussie families get a fair go.

Watch Budget Battlers on Wednesday, October 28, at 7.30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.