Just like a tribal council torch, Network 10 has snuffed out any speculation surrounding the future of Australian Survivor, as well as any hope surrounding the return of Jonathan LaPaglia as host.

ICYMI, the Australian Survivor fanbase has been in overdrive after Network 10 confirmed that David ‘Golden God’ Genat would be taking over host duties months after it announced that LaPaglia would be exiting the show.

“Filming is now underway in the wilds of Samoa for the 12th season of Australian Survivor, where 10 is thrilled to confirm the ‘Golden God’ — David Genat — will be at the helm, commentating every challenge and tribal council as castaways battle it out for the title of Sole Survivor in Australian Survivor: Redemption,” Network 10 shared in a statement.
(Image source: Network 10 / Supplied)
Naturally, with LaPaglia running the show for ten years, the network received a mixed bag of reactions, with many fans calling for the return of the OG Australian Survivor zaddy. But amongst the hullabaloo, a TV insider claimed to Woman’s Day that JLP could return as Australian Survivor host through a cheeky loophole.

Per the insider, they claimed that Network 10’s rights to Australian Survivor “are set to expire” and that the next network that snatches up the beloved game show could bring on LaPaglia as host.

“Network 10’s rights to Australian Survivor are set to expire next year and everyone is worried that the show could be snapped up by a rival network,” the insider told the publication.

“Everyone is expecting Channel Nine to make a play for the show — they’ve already stolen The Bachelor franchise from Network 10 and The Golden Bachelor, so it would be just another sign of Nine giving another reality TV franchise a second life on their network.”
(Image source: Instagram / @JonathanLaPaglia)
(Image source: 10Play / Survivor: Australia V The World)
The insider also claimed LaPaglia “has serious concerns” for Genat, especially on “whether he can handle the transition from contestant to host”.

“Secretly, he doesn’t think Network Ten has made the right choice and let’s be honest, he would know after working with David on previous seasons,” the insider told Woman’s Day.

“David isn’t a bad guy but he has a tendency to make things about himself and he’s coming off a season where he didn’t get the best edit and was booted off early, to then bring him back as the host feels a little misguided.

“There are even fears he might struggle with bias towards certain contestants, given he’s just been in the game himself. The outrage from previous players is unanimous too, no one is happy to see JLP replaced by the winner of Australian Survivor: All-stars.”

Network 10 shuts down rumours it’s losing Australian Survivor

Before the rumours could breathe, Network 10 swiftly shut it down, confirming that it has a “multi-year deal” for the series and Genat as host.

“10 has a multi-year deal for both the show and the new host. The only place to watch Australian Survivor is on 10,” a spokesperson for the network told Daily Mail Australia.

Network 10’s shutdown comes after LaPaglia opened up about his brutal axing from the show. Speaking to The Watchlist ahead of the premiere of Survivor: Australia V The World, LaPaglia revealed that he was notified by the news via a call from his manager.

“The speculation online was that I received an email. But no, it was a call to my manager in Australia,” LaPaglia told the publication.

“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.”
(Image source: 10Play / Survivor: Australia V The World)
Since then, LaPaglia has publicly congratulated Genat on his new role as Australian Survivor host.

“If I’d known I could have just handed you the snuffer like an Olympic relay. Oh well. Good luck out there brother. Stay Gold Ponyboy!”, LaPaglia wrote in an Instagram statement alongside a video of him snuffing out Genat’s torch on Survivor: Australia V The World.

That being said, Survivor: Australia V The World will be the last time we get to see the good ol’ JLP as top dawg in Australian Survivor. We will be savouring every moment!