Survivor host Jonathan LaPaglia reveals the brutal way he found out he had lost his job after a decade on the show: 'I didn't even get a direct call'
The TV personality, who has hosted the Channel Ten series for nearly a decade, was met with a rally of support after he revealed he would be fronting the show for the last time in the Australia V The World series, which will hit screens later this year.
Now, the 55-year-old has 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 this week's Stellar.
'I didn't get a direct call, which, I'll be honest with you, was disappointing.
'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.'
Earlier this month, it was revealed that production was already underway for the 2026 season, with David Genat taking over as the show's new host.
David was recently spotted arriving overseas to begin filming the new season, but insiders have confirmed 'behind the scenes' dust is far from settling.
Jonathan had helmed the hit reality franchise for nearly ten years before being unceremoniously axed.
And 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.'
Producers replaced the charismatic TV host with David, a former contestant whose unexpected promotion has sparked backlash among fans and confusion on set.
'It's a cost-cutting move, plain and simple,' a source close to production revealed.
'But replacing a seasoned host with a player who's barely earned his stripes? It's baffling.'
The series, which promises to spotlight castaways who've been 'burned, betrayed or blindsided', is filled with drama both on and off the screens, according to insiders.
'Jonathan is furious,' one producer confessed.
'He's been calling past players privately. Not just to say goodbye but to vent. He was blindsided and he's not hiding it.'
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