Survivor evictee Andy’s savage parting shot at tribal council

With four simple parting words, this Survivor evictee delivered one of the most controversial moments of the season. Here’s why he really did it.

His tribemates called him everything from “beady eyed” to “snake boy” to a “worm” behind his back during his time on Australian Survivor — but Andy Meldrum got the last laugh.

Andy had been a cunning and occasionally cringe-worthy player during his four weeks in the game, piling lies on top of lies — often less than successfully.

On Tuesday’s episode, Andy suffered that rare Survivor indignity when every other player in the game united to vote him out.

With 11 votes against him, Andy was asked to leave the tribal council immediately. But as Jonathan LaPaglia extinguished his torch, Andy turned to face his former competitors with a smile, and delivered one parting shot.

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You'd better start running Andy, and hope Dave can't catch you

“See ya guys! Uh, Daisy, I may have cast a vote or two for you … Oh, and Dave has an idol. Cheers!”

Supermodel David Genat had been one of Andy’s biggest adversaries in the game — and announcing that David had an immunity idol immediately put a target on his back.

Check out David’s reaction — you can actually pinpoint the second when his heart rips in half:

Smile fading …

Aww crap.

Speaking to news.com.au after the episode had aired, Andy said the outburst had been an impromptu decision designed to rattle a player who’s “had it too easy” so far this season.

“Dave and I have had an interesting relationship. He’s playing a phenomenal game, but let’s face it: He’s had it too easy. He’s had two idols basically given to him. One by Shaun, the cross-tribe idol, and another at the popcorn reward. I just wanted to make it a little more challenging for him if he’s going to make it to the end,” he said.

“He’s pretty good though, he might turn it to his advantage.”

Viewers were divided about Andy’s parting shot — some thought it was a great way to exit the game, while others thought it was a dog act:

Andy you dickhead. You don't derail someone's strategic game just because they outplayed you. One of the lowest things you can do after being voted out #SurvivorAU

— Adam Huxtable (@AdamHux1) August 20, 2019

It’s even better now I know Andy didn’t even know Dave had an idol #SurvivorAU pic.twitter.com/HmQxMiEHoQ

— Rob (@robyn56436920) August 20, 2019

Me: (when Andy said Dave has an idol) #SurvivorAU pic.twitter.com/1ePyAYKDiG

— Dickson (@dicksonaryo) August 20, 2019

‘dave has an idol’ andy going out like an absolute champ #SurvivorAU pic.twitter.com/mdM1bdtr1L

— Jess Moon (@jjessmmoon) August 20, 2019

Andy : bye gaiiiss. Oh btw, DAVE HAS AN IDOL. 🤗🤣🤗🤣#survivorAU pic.twitter.com/n08Rt6DclZ

— HeatherCG (@HClesidia) August 20, 2019

Andy stating that David has an idol in front of everybody as he was leaving was the one and only prediction that he got right for the whole season and it wasn’t even intentional 😂😂 #SurvivorAU

— Ben Morgan (@purpleben_au) August 20, 2019

“And Dave has an idol.” Andy being a dick on the way out #SurvivorAU

— Annie Clark (@anniefitness) August 20, 2019

I hate Andy's outburst for someone with sooo much respect for the game to specifically train, just to throw out 'Dave's got an idol' because they outwitted outplayed and outlasted you #SurvivorAU

— Jaxx Magnum (@Jaxx_Magnum) August 20, 2019

Andy dropping the idol bomb on the way out. #SurvivorAU pic.twitter.com/3nOqnCoYbc

— Veronica Eggleton (@veggleton) August 20, 2019

After his elimination, Andy conceded that there had been “a lot of lies” in his gameplay. “I lied about my professional background. I lied to my alliance. I lied about throwing challenges. I lied about votes. This is what the game’s about! I think in the end, there probably were too many lies, and they caught up with me,” he said.

Daisy's like ‘I didn't know we could do that!’

“I decided to leave a little bit of a bomb for my dear friend Dave, so I let the tribe know that he has an idol. He doesn’t have an idol, as far as I know, but it might create a little bit of mayhem for Dave, and that’s fine with me.”

That’s right — much like so many of Andy’s other lies this season, this one was less than watertight, given he didn’t even think David had an idol.

Well Andy: He does. David pocketed a hidden immunity idol during a reward last week and thought he got away with it — but the pressure will be on now thanks to the “dear friend” he just voted out.

Australian Survivor airs 7:30pm Sundays to Tuesdays on Ten.