After ten seasons with the franchise, Jonathan La Paglia will not return to host Australian Survivor in 2026. Network 10 confirmed the news following La Paglia’s own announcement on Instagram.
The host, known for steering some of the show’s most high-stakes moments, shared that the network called to inform him it was “going in a different direction.” The decision comes after the most recent seasons recorded a dip in ratings, despite steady fan support for the long-running format.
La Paglia will still lead the upcoming “Australia V The World” season, which now marks his final chapter with the franchise. He handled the news with his usual dry humour, calling it a “HOST SWAP” and signing off with a nod to the game’s iconic send-off: “JLP… the tribe has spoken.”
Network 10 thanked La Paglia publicly, describing him as a host who brought “intelligence, authority and empathy” to the role. His voice and presence helped shape Australian Survivor during its revival years, becoming a key figure in building the format’s identity after its initial retooling in 2016.
A replacement has not been officially named, but all eyes are on David Genat. A former contestant and winner of Australian Survivor: All Stars, Genat recently appeared on Deal or No Deal Island and walked away with more than AU$9 million. His crossover appeal and strong ties to the format make him a likely contender.
No date has been set for the 2026 season’s debut, but Network 10 has confirmed that casting and pre-production are already in motion. Viewers can expect a formal hosting announcement in the coming months.
La Paglia’s departure closes a defining run for the show. His style shaped the mood and momentum of each season. Whoever takes over steps into a role with expectations as high as the stakes on screen.
