Australian Survivor set for major shake-up as new host David Genat takes the helm following Jonathan LaPaglia's brutal sacking
Channel 10 revealed on Monday the next season will be called Australian Survivor: Redemption and will feature fewer non-elimination episodes and the return of a live finale.
Longtime host Jonathan LaPaglia shocked fans in June when he confirmed he had been axed from the series, after almost a decade at the helm.
The beloved TV star was met with a wave of support after he revealed he would be fronting the show for the last time in the Australia V The World series currently airing.
The 55-year-old later detailed the brutal way he found out he had lost his job.
'The speculation online was that I received an email. But no, it was a call to my manager in Australia,' he told The Daily Telegraph.
'I didn't get a direct call, which, I'll be honest with you, was disappointing,' he continued.
'After 10 years of helming their flagship show, it would have been nice to get a direct call from the people at the top, but I didn't.'
Insiders say the show's shocking new theme, 'Revenge and Redemption,' is a thinly veiled swipe at his unexpected exit.
'Jonathan is gutted,' a friend of the ousted host told Daily Mail Australia.
'This theme feels personal. Everyone in the Survivor community can see it for what it is.'
It comes after Genat assured viewers the show is 'not about him' and that he would not let them down.
'I love Australian Survivor. It truly is the greatest game on earth, so getting to come back as host after playing three times is such an honour,' he began.
'But Survivor is not about me. It's about the incredible players who put everything on the line to outwit, outplay and outlast.'
He also paid tribute to the show's many viewers and promised to live up to their expectations: 'I love the players, the community of fans and the crew who make it happen. As new host, I won't let you down.'
Since the announcement, viewers have been reluctant to embrace Genat in his new role.
'This really sucks. Australian Survivor is great and Jonathan was the perfect host. Yet producers fired him and hired this clown,' one fan wrote on social media.
'Jonathan is the face of Australian Survivor. NO ONE wanted him gone and especially to be replaced by David. We will NOT be watching any seasons now, Australian survivor is officially dead,' a second added.
'I'm upset. The only reason I Watch Australian Survivor is because of Jonathan. I watch each episode like 5 times. He is the reason it's better than US Survivor. Who in their right mind would let him go?' a third chipped in.
Genat began his Survivor journey on Australian Survivor: Champions v Contenders in 2019.
He was the 14th castaway voted out, and then returned to the franchise the following season for Australian Survivor All Stars in 2020, which he won.
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