‘Blindsided’: Ten sacks its long-time host of Australian Survivor
Network 10 and Jonathan LaPaglia have confirmed that the actor and long-time host of their reality hit Survivor Australia will not return next year.
“10 can confirm that the upcoming season of Survivor: Australia V The World will be the last series hosted by the formidable Jonathan LaPaglia,” the network said in a statement on Monday.
After 10 years in the role, Jonathan La Paglia is being replaced as host of Australian Survivor.Credit:
“JLP has brought a unique blend of authority, intelligence and empathy to his role as host of Australian Survivor over the last 10 years. Acting as a referee and managing the intense pressure of the game while also acknowledging the human drama unfolding, JLP has been a compelling and memorable figure in the world of Survivor.”
In a message on his Instagram account, LaPaglia said the decision “hurts like a bitch”.
“Australian Survivor has seen some of the most epic blindsides over the last 10 years, but this one might just be the craziest of them all …because it happened to me … I received a call from the Network thanking me for all my hard work and dedication to the show but for next season they are ‘going in a different direction’.”
LaPaglia added it was a “host swap”, saying, “I wish I could say, ‘Before we go to vote, tonight is a little different….no one’s going home’. But I can’t. None of that non-elim bullshit tonight! Someone IS going home. And with no idol in my back pocket, that someone is me.
“I have loved and will dearly miss the immensely talented crew, all the crafty players and our loyal sassy audience. I’m a huge fan of this incredible game, always have been, always will be … Whoever said a blindside is the most humane way to put someone down is an idiot. It hurts like a bitch!”
Ten would did not comment on rumours that LaPaglia is being replaced by Australian Survivor winner David Genat.
Survivor fan and expert Shannon Gaitz, who hosts Talking Tribal on Ten, as well as a Survivor podcast, posted on X that the “Survivor community doesn’t agree on anything. The only thing we all seem to agree on is how much we love JLP. I’ll miss the iconic JLP laugh, the inappropriate jokes & much more. A titan of the global franchise. A staple of #SurvivorAU. A treat to watch for almost 10 years.”
Genat, a former model from Perth who is known in Survivor circles as the “Golden God”, first appeared on Australian Survivor in 2019 and then again in 2020, when he won the All Stars season. In March this year Genat also became one of the biggest prizewinners on TV, when he won $US5.8 million on the second season of US series Deal or No Deal Island.
Former Survivor Australia winner David Genat is rumoured to be the incoming host.Credit:
Genat will appear on Survivor: Australia V World later this year, alongside former fan favourites “King” George Mladenov, Kirby Bentley, Luke Toki and Shonee Bowtell.
“We look forward to JLP hosting the next epic instalment of Survivor: Australia V World coming soon to 10. We extend our sincere gratitude to JLP for his outstanding contribution over 10 years on Survivor. We wish him continued success in his acting and presenting career,” Ten’s statement read.
“We will be making an announcement shortly about who will take over hosting duties for the 2026 season of Australian Survivor.”
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