Australian Survivor host Jonathan LaPaglia has confirmed that he’s been let go from hosting duties.
While Australian Survivor: Australia v The World has already been filmed, he revealed that he would not be coming back.
“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 in a lengthy caption on Instagram on June 30.
“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. So for the first time ever this is not a tribe swap, but a HOST SWAP®️ Yes, you read that right.”
The now-former host said it was “one of the greatest adventures” of his career.
“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,” he continued.
He joined as a host in 2016 and has been a part of the series ever since.
The network also confirmed the news, after speculation about the new season.
“10 can confirm that the upcoming season of Survivor: Australia V The World will be the last series hosted by the formidable Jonathan La Paglia (JLP),” they said in a statement.
“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.
“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.
“We will be making an announcement shortly about who will take over hosting duties for the 2026 season of Australian Survivor.”
“It’s a terrible idea,” a TV industry source told the publication. “The show’s ratings have been in decline for a while, but the same goes for pretty much every entertainment show.
“Changing the host now is a terrible idea. [Jonathan’s] so well-established in the Survivor world – it would be a total mistake to find a new host.”
Who could replace Jonathan LaPaglia on Australian Survivor?
While nothing has been confirmed as of yet, but Australian Survivor champion David Genat might be taking over.
The fan favourite and ‘Golden God’ is already set to compete on Australian Survivor: Australia v The World, which is due to air later this year.
David would be a rather controversial pick, as a producer told Daily Mail Australia, “He doesn’t fit the brief. He’s charismatic, sure – but Survivor needs someone with gravitas. David is not Jonathan, and viewers will notice that.”
The publication also reported that producers were “scrambling behind the scenes” to secure contracts for the show in 2026.
“Casting has been a nightmare,” an insider said.
“They extended the application deadline and even tried poaching contestants who had originally applied for Married at First Sight. Some of them were a better fit for Survivor than MAFS, but going after their leftovers really shows how desperate things are.”
