Jonathan LaPaglia has confirmed he has been axed as host of Survivor after a decade in the role.
The 55-year-old, who has fronted the hit show since its 2016 revival, will make his final appearance on the upcoming season v The World, set to air later this year.
In a lengthy Instagram post, Jonathan said he was shocked by Channel Ten’s decision to let him go.
He also revealed the brutal way the network delivered the news – via telephone.
‘n 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 post on Instagram.
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Jonathan LaPaglia has confirmed he has been axed as host of Survivor after a decade in the role
In a lengthy Instagram post, Jonathan said he was shocked by Channel Ten ‘s decision to let him go
‘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.
‘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 bulls**t tonight! Someone IS going home. And with no idol in my back pocket, that someone is me.’
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 n 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.’
‘But don’t pull out your hankies just yet – I’ll still be at the helm for v The World… probably our best season EVER!’
‘(Ps. Whoever said a blindside is the most humane way to put someone down is an idiot. It hurts like a b**ch!)’
Channel 10 also officially confirmed the news in their own statement on Monday.
’10 can confirm that the upcoming season of Survivor: V The World will be the last series hosted by the formidable Jonathan LaPaglia (JLP),’ a spokesperson told Daily Mail .
He also revealed the brutal way the network delivered the news – via telephone
In what some are calling a risky move, he is expected to be replaced by Survivor: All Stars winner and former model David Genat
‘JLP has brought a unique blend of authority, intelligence, and empathy to his role as host of n 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.’
The network went on to thank LaPaglia for his contributions, adding: ‘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.’
But while 10’s statement is full of praise, industry insiders paint a very different picture behind the scenes – claiming Jonathan wasn’t given the farewell he deserved.
‘They didn’t even tell him in person,’ one insider told Daily Mail . ‘It was brutal. After everything he’s given to the franchise, he deserved better.’
It comes after Daily Mail revealed that Jonathan had clashed with producers at EndemolShine over the years, but remained highly respected by the crew and adored by contestants.
‘He’s so well-established in the Survivor world – changing the host is a terrible idea,’ one long-time production source revealed.
‘The cast and crew love him. He brought legitimacy and heart to the show.’
Despite this, the network is forging ahead with a new direction.
In what some are calling a risky move, Jonathan is expected to be replaced by Survivor: All Stars winner and former model David Genat – who recently made headlines after winning a whopping US$5.8million (AU$8.7million) on Deal or No Deal Island in the US.
But not everyone is convinced he’s the right man for the job.
‘He doesn’t fit the brief,’ one source close added. ‘He’s charismatic, sure – but Survivor needs someone with gravitas. David is not Jonathan, and viewers will notice that.’
The hosting change comes amid a ratings slump for the once high-flying franchise.
The most recent season, Brains v Brawn II, saw viewership plummet to as low as 486,000 total overnight viewers – a far cry from the million-plus numbers it once pulled.
And the drama doesn’t stop there.
Producers have been scrambling to cast the next season, which is slated for 2026.
In fact, casting was so challenging that the deadline was extended to June 1 – and desperate producers even started poaching rejected applicants from Married At First Sight.
‘Casting has been a nightmare,’ another well-placed insider dished.
‘Some of the MAFS applicants actually seemed like a better fit for Survivor – but the fact producers were even going down that road shows how bad things have gotten.’
Despite the upheaval, n Survivor: v The World is still set to hit screens later this year – with Jonathan’s final season already filmed between September and October 2024.
The format will see Aussie castaways face off against international Survivor royalty in what’s been described as a cross-continent showdown.