Previous contestants and loyal fans of Australian Survivor have expressed their anger and sadness over the axing of Jonathan LaPaglia.
The former host announced that he was let go on Instagram, on June 30, calling it one of the craziest blindsides in the show’s history.
Stars who have battled it out on the toughest game on earth over the years were quick to comment, saying JLP made the show what it was.
“My heart hurts JLP 😢,” Brooke Jowett wrote. “We all think you’re the freaking best! Thank you for making the last 10 years so epic. We’re so lucky to have had you!”
Season four winner Jericho Malabonga predicted backlash from die-hard fans.
“You’re the reason Australian Survivor has had legs to spawn this many seasons,” he wrote. “It won’t be the same without you JLP��. And I can already feel the uproar from the Survivor community. If there’s one thing we know, Survivor fans are passionate when they see a wrong move!”
He was right – a Change.org petition has been set up, calling for Network 10 to reinstate LaPaglia as host.
It already has more than 2700 signatures, and the number is rising by the minute.
“We cannot allow this change to happen without voicing our strong support for JLP to remain the host of Survivor Australia,” the petition says.
“Jonathan Lapaglia has proven himself time and again as the perfect fit for this role. His deep understanding of the game, combined with his rapport with contestants and viewers alike, makes him irreplaceable…”
Other users commented on the now-former host’s Instagram post, calling it a “boneheaded decision”, “a huge mistake”, and said they wouldn’t watch it without him.
Fan favourite Luke Toki, who appeared on seasons four and six, didn’t hold back on the emotion either.
“Not a bad word in the comments lets you know the impact you have left on everyone that played and watched the game,” he commented on JLP’s Insta post.
“A big part of my experience out there. You might not of shown it but I could tell you were upset every time I got blindsided in the game haha… it’s been a pleasure King @jonathanlapaglia,”
Shonee Bowtell also voiced her sadness and shared a video to Instagram, where he narrated her “struggles” in a challenge.
“We are all struggling with this challenge, aren’t we 😭😭😭 @jonathanlapaglia You know it’s a brutal game when even the host eventually gets blindsided 💔🌴☀️🍚 Playing ‘irreplaceable’ for you 🎶🎶,” she wrote in the heartfelt message.
What did Jonathan LaPaglia say after he was axed from Australian Survivor?
The news was also a shock for the former host who said he’d been ‘blindsided’.
“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’,” he wrote in a lengthy Instagram post.
“Ratings had dipped a bit recently and they wanted to do something drastic to shake things up.”
Network 10 released a statement the same day.
“We can confirm that the upcoming season of Survivor: Australia v The World will be the last series hosted by the formidable Jonathan LaPaglia,” they said.
“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.”
Who is replacing Jonathan LaPaglia on Australian Survivor?
Before his axing was confirmed, The Daily Mail reported that Australian Survivor favourite David Genat was tipped to take over.
A producer told the publication that he was not the best choice for the role.
“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,” they said.
Not only that, but the publication also reported that producers were “scrambling behind the scenes” to secure talent for the 2026 season.
“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.”
