Axed Channel 10 star Jonathan LaPaglia rumoured to host US version of Survivor after brutal sacking
It was revealed last week that the current host of Survivor Australia had been informed over a 'cold' email that Channel 10 had decided the show needed a refresh and that he wouldn't be part of it.
But now, LaPaglia could have the last laugh as rumours are swirling that he could be being lined up to replace US host, Jeff Probst, according to New Idea.
LaPaglia and Probst are good mates, and have met up for dinner on numerous occasions, with the Australian previously confessing to being a huge fan of the US series.
'JLP is the best. I think a lot of the issue with Jeff is his evolution into this motivational speaker that none of us asked for. Jeff in the early days was more interesting to watch host. Not so much anymore,' remarked one fan amid the speculation.
'He's [JLP] my pick to for replacement host if Jeff retires,' another Survivor fan shared.
Rumours of Probst's departure were further fuelled when he shared a video of himself advertising the 50th season of the show. Fans of the franchise were quick to remark that the long-running presenter looked 'unhappy' and 'over' his job, sparking suggestions that it could be his last season in front of the camera.
Meanwhile, the rumours emerged after new details about how longtime Survivor host LaPaglia was axed from the Aussie version of the show.
The Australian TV host, who has helmed the Channel 10 show since its revival in 2016, will not return as a presenter next year.
LaPaglia initially made a statement telling fans that he had been 'blindsided' by the network, and now it's been claimed that the long-running star was informed of his sacking via a 'cold' email.
'He got an email first,' a source told Daily Mail. 'That was the initial comms from EndemolShine.'
'Then a call came from Ten, but by then it was already done. It's really not how you treat someone who's been part of the show for almost a decade.'
To make matters worse, the source alleges that LaPaglia received the sudden email before he had finished filming Survivor: Australia vs. The World.
The insider claimed that the decision to fire LaPaglia was 'locked in' for months, but in order to avoid any trouble during the filming of his latest season they wanted to wait until the show was complete.
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