Australian Survivor and Channel 10 have officially confirmed that Jonathan LaPaglia (JLP) will not return to the show in 2026 after nearly a decade of hosting the Aussie series.
The 55-year-old has hosted the show since its revival in 2016 and will be back on our screens for the upcoming Survivor: Australia V The World series which was filmed in Samoa earlier this year and is due to air in upcoming months.
Channel 10 said the network would be making an announcement “shortly” as to who will take on the hosting role, while JLP has taken to Instagram to share his version of events, saying he felt blindsided when the network called him and told him he wouldn’t be hosting the show in 2026.
Jonathan La Paglia reveals shock at being fired from Australian Survivor: ‘Hurts like a bitch’
“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,” JLP wrote on Instagram.
“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 host went on to say hosting the show had been one of the greatest adventures of his career, expressing his disappointment at having to say goodbye.
“I wish I could say, ‘Before we go to vote, tonight is a little different….no one’s going home’. But I can’t. None of that non-elim bullshit tonight! Someone IS going home. And with no idol in my back pocket, that someone is me,” he continued.
“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. It has been one of the greatest adventures of my career to helm Australian Survivor, so it is without a doubt the hardest challenge of all to snuff my own torch but here goes: ‘JLP…..the tribe has spoken’.”
JLP confirmed we’d still see him on screens for the upcoming Australia V World series, saying it was probably the “best season ever”.
“But don’t pull out your hankies just yet, I’ll still be at the helm for Australia v World…. probably our best season EVER!” he wrote. “(P.S. Whoever said a blindside is the most humane way to put someone down is an idiot. It hurts like a bitch!)”
Who will take over Jonathan La Paglia’s hosting role for Australian Survivor?
Rumours began to swirl recently that JLP was leaving the show, with some outlets reporting Australian Survivor icon David Genat would be taking over the hosting role.
Daily Mail previously reported that JLP had been “quietly axed” from the series, with an insider saying former Survivor: All-Stars champion David would be filling in his shoes.
Upon the news of JLP’s shock firing, former Australian Survivor stars have spoken to Chattr about the big news and who they think should step into his formidable shoes.
Feras Basal of Australian Survivor: Titans v Rebels fame said he’d vote for Raymond Chaney to take over the role. “Australia adored him, he doesn’t have a single hater, he’s extremely loveable,” Feras told Chattr. “His humour, wittiness, and extreme super fandom make him the perfect host.”
Myles Kuah also backed up Raymond as host, while Nash Gendo from Brains V Brawn II called JLP’s firing “a big shock”.
“It’s a big shock, I mean we don’t know Survivor without JLP,” he said. “Personally, I’ve never met David but we’re going to have to see next season if he can match JLP. But it’s exciting, Survivor needs a change, and a shake up could be good for the franchise.”
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