Channel 10 believes audiences will enjoy having a new host of Australian Survivor after Jonathan LaPaglia was sensationally sacked last year. Aussies couldn’t believe it when JLP confirmed he wouldn’t be returning for the 2026 season.
He had been at the helm of the show for 11 seasons and fans told Yahoo Lifestyle it wouldn’t be the same without him. Channel 10 eventually announced former Survivor winner David Genat would step into JLP’s big shoes for Australian Survivor: Redemption.
With the new season just a few weeks away, the network has danced around this changing of the guard at one of the biggest reality TV shows in Australia.
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Tamara Simoneau, vice president of content at Paramount Australia, told TVTonight it’s exciting to have fresh blood on the telly.
“Shows are always evolving, especially those with long tenures like Survivor,” she said.
“It’s one of our biggest hits and that’s because fans love the twists and turns.
“This format is all about the game and the players, so having a former player and winner at the helm brings a new energy and perspective to the hosting role.
“David is a natural and has done a terrific job.”
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Who is the new host of Australia Survivor?
David, aka the ‘Golden God’, first competed on Champions V Contenders in 2019 before returning for All Stars the following year and being crowned Sole Survivor.
He more recently took part in Survivor: Australia V The World, but was the second person to have their torch snuffed and left the game.
Outside of his appearances on Survivor, David was a contestant on The Celebrity Apprentice in 2021 and hosted the short-lived Channel 9 series Rush in 2023.
David will host the show’s upcoming 12 season, titled Australian Survivor: Redemption. Photo: Channel 10
The international model also made global headlines last year when he won a whopping US$5.8 million (AU$8.25 million) on Deal or No Deal Island in the US, which is the biggest cash prize ever awarded on network television.
“I love Australian Survivor,” he said in a statement in August.
“It truly is the greatest game on earth, so getting to come back as host after playing three times is such an honour.
“But Survivor is not about me; it’s about the incredible players who put everything on the line to outwit, outplay, and outlast. I am pumped for the fans to meet the new crop of Survivors next season.”
Australian Survivor audiences torn over new host
The ex-contestant now-host has more experience in the Survivor aren than most, but it might be a tough sell for audiences who loved having JLP on their screens.
“I have watched every season of both Australia Survivor and American Survivor,” one viewer told Yahoo Lifestyle.
“JLP has done an amazing job for every season. Unfortunately this will be my last season for Australia Survivor. I won’t be watching when David takes over. Why change when it’s been going so good? The old saying if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.”
“I’m out….I’m leaving with JLP,” added another.
“Can’t believe JLP will no longer be the face of Australian Survivor. David has massive shoes to fill but I’m prepared to see how it goes. He has so much pressure on him and that’s gotta be hard,” wrote a third.
A poll of hundreds of Yahoo Lifestyle readers found only 15 per cent felt David would be a good host, while 43 per cent thought he “wasn’t the right fit”.
But some were excited to have a new host for the long-running show.
“He’ll be good, he’s got a personalty,” said one fan.
“Love David. Love his humour. He will be great,” added another.
What did JLP say about leaving Survivor?
Back in June, JLP said it had been an amazing journey being on Survivor for so long, but admitted he was “blindsided” by the decision.
“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,” he wrote on social media.
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“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’.
“Ratings had dipped a bit recently and they wanted to do something drastic to shake things up.”
He said he will “dearly miss” the crew, the “crafty” players, and the “loyal sassy” audience.
JLP said being on Survivor was one of the “greatest adventures” of his career and being booted was one of the “hardest challenges” of his life.
Australian Survivor: Redemption premieres on Channel 10 on February 23 at 7:30pm.
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