In rumours that I certainly hope are proven false, it’s been reported that beloved host Jonathan LaPaglia has been axed from Australian Survivor ahead of its 2026 season.
That’s according to a TV industry source who recently spoke with The Daily Mail, and who claimed LaPaglia — who has fronted the competition series since 2016 — was fired before the show’s 14th season, which will follow the most imminent 2025 instalment set to hit screens later this year.
As for why the host has reportedly been given boot, the insider claimed it is part of a series shake-up in response to supposedly declining ratings, but the move apparently hasn’t been well-received by those involved in the show.
“Changing the host now is a terrible idea,” the insider told The Daily Mail.
“[LaPaglia is] so well-established in the Survivor world. It would be a total mistake to find a new host.”
While the rumours remain unconfirmed, the source went on to claim that showrunners have been brainstorming LaPaglia’s replacement, and it’s none other than… tribal drum roll please… former Survivor contestant David Genat.
Genat — who won the All Stars season of Survivor back in 2020 and more recently copped an eye-watering Deal or No Deal win in the US — is apparently being eyed to front season 14 next year, even though the source said “he doesn’t fit the bill”.
“He’s charismatic, sure, but Survivor needs someone with gravitas. David is not Jonathan, and viewers will notice that,” the insider claimed.
It remains to be seen whether these rumours will come to fruition, but we do know that LaPaglia is on board for Survivor season 13, which is subtitled Australia v The World and will premiere later this year.
That season will pit Aussie contenders against international Survivor alums, with a cast including Genat, fellow winner George Mladenov, and Boost Juice founder and Shark Tank star Janine Allis, among others.
While we don’t yet know when Australia v The World will be released, here’s hoping that it won’t be the last time that Saddy (Survivor Daddy) LaPaglia blesses our TV screens.
Lead image: Channel 10
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