Survivor Australia contestant George Mladenov eyes state politics

Parliament beckons after the “cockroach from Bankstown” George Mladenov managed to persuade, flatter, backstab, out-think and lie his way into the top five of the reality show.

He saved this season of Survivor Australia and now “King” George Mladenov might just save our state by running for parliament.

And after the self-confessed “cockroach from Bankstown” has managed to persuade, flatter, backstab, schmooze, out-think and lie his way into the top five of the reality show, he certainly has the skills to go right to the top.

“We should wait and see, I wouldn’t rule anything out,” Mladenov told The Sunday Telegraph.

“Maybe you will have ‘King George’ in parliament one day. I don’t want to spook people by saying I will be running for preselection soon so we will wait and see. I would definitely consider it. Never say never, I’ll quote (former PM) John Howard on that.”

George Mladenov in a newer version of the fluffy dog shirt he popularised during filming Survivor. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“I am someone who is proud of who I am and where I am from.” Picture: Nigel Wright

Mladenov, 31, has by turns outraged and delighted fans — often in the same episode.

In a Brains v Brawn season filled with musclebound alpha types and a host of contestants seemingly too scared to make risky moves, he has always provided plenty of entertainment.

Fist he won sympathy by being the underdog who couldn’t fit in with the “cool kids” and for bursting into tears when his ally Cara Atchison saved him instead of herself.

Then he won admiration for his clever moves, including being a “double agent” who betrayed the Brawn alliance.

Fans loved when he broke an unspoken Tribal Council rule by telling the camera in a voice loud enough to be heard by the other contestants why he was voting for the self-proclaimed “Superman” Emmett Pugh: “Do you know what Emmett? If my only talent in life was standing there and looking pretty, I’d be bitter as well!”

George Mladenov (right) made his mark on Survivor. Picture: Nigel Wright

But he also outraged fans by quitting challenges, happily admitting he would not even attempt to beat the stronger, fitter players.

“I came on Survivor to just be myself,” he said.

“I am someone who is proud of who I am and where I am from. I am not someone that is afraid of a challenge. I’ve played a big and a bold game and I am very grateful that it has resonated with the Survivor fanbase and that it has been front and centre of the show.”

The 2021 Survivor finale will play out this week on Channel 10, where he and ally Cara will battle it out with Wai Chin, Hayley Leake and Felicity Palmateer.

“I am not a gutless wonder,” he said. “If I see something, I call it out and that ruffled a few feathers at the start but it also earnt me respect within the tribe and with the remaining castaways. I am not someone that compromises on my beliefs and my viewpoints. I am very proud of who I am, what I believe in and where I am from. I don’t care if I am hated, I would prefer to be respected rather than pandering to the crowd.”

Bankstown has been one of the hardest hit areas in the current Covid lockdown.

Mladenov said he is proud to represent his community.

“When I see that me being on Survivor, just being an atypical Bankstown Western Sydney wog on TV is making my community proud of where they are from when we are going through this awful crisis, that makes me sleep well at night.”