Jonathan LaPaglia’s replacement on Australian Survivor has been officially announced.
In one of the worst kept secrets in TV history, former Survivor winner David Genat is taking over as the host of the series, Channel Ten confirmed on Monday.
‘I love Australian Survivor. It truly is the greatest game on earth so getting to come back as host after playing three times is such an honour,’ Genat said in a statement.
‘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.’
David began his Survivor journey on Australian Survivor: Champions v Contenders in 2019.
Jonathan LaPaglia’s (pictured) replacement on Australian Survivor has been officially announced
In one of the worst kept secrets in TV history, former Survivor winner David Genat (pictured) is taking over as the host of the series, Channel Ten confirmed on Monday
He was the 14th castaway voted out, and then returned to the franchise the following season for Australian Survivor All Stars in 2020, which he won.
Jonathan, meanwhile, shocked fans in June when he confirmed he had been axed from Australian Survivor, after almost a decade at the helm.
The TV personality was met with a rally of support after he revealed he would be fronting the show for the last time in the Australia V The World series, which will hit screens later this year.
The 55-year-old later detailed the brutal way he found out he had lost his job.
‘The speculation online was that I received an email. But no, it was a call to my manager in Australia,’ he told The Daily Telegraph.
‘I didn’t get a direct call, which, I’ll be honest with you, was disappointing.
‘After 10 years of helming their flagship show, it would have been nice to get a direct call from the people at the top, but I didn’t.’
Insiders say the show’s shocking new theme, ‘Revenge and Redemption,’ is a thinly veiled swipe at his unexpected exit.
David began his Survivor journey on Australian Survivor: Champions v Contenders in 2019. He returned for Australian Survivor All Stars in 2020 (pictured), which he won
Jonathan, meanwhile, shocked fans in June when he confirmed he had been axed from Australian Survivor , after almost a decade at the helm
‘Jonathan is gutted,’ a friend of the ousted host told Daily Mail Australia.
‘This theme feels personal. Everyone in the Survivor community can see it for what it is.’
Earlier this month, it was revealed that production was already underway for the 2026 season, with David taking over as the show’s new host.
David was recently spotted arriving overseas to begin filming the new season, but insiders have confirmed ‘behind the scenes’ dust is far from settling.
Producers replaced the charismatic TV host with David, a former contestant whose unexpected promotion has sparked backlash among fans and confusion on set.
‘It’s a cost-cutting move, plain and simple,’ a source close to production revealed.
‘But replacing a seasoned host with a player who’s barely earned his stripes? It’s baffling.’
