Fans are convinced JLP has confirmed rumours that David Genat will replace him on the reality show.

Australian Survivor fans have noticed a hidden detail in Jonathan LaPaglia’s recent post. Photos: Channel 10

Australian Survivor fans were left devastated this week when it was announced that Jonathan LaPaglia would no longer be hosting the reality show. The 55-year-old TV personality and actor, best known as ‘JLP’, shared a lengthy post on social media confirming speculation that he had been axed from the Channel 10 series after 11 seasons.

While the network is yet to announce his replacement for 2026, rumours are swirling that three-time player and 2020 winner David Genat will be stepping into his shoes. Fans have noticed that JLP may have indirectly confirmed these rumours in his recent post, taking a subtle yet brutal swipe at the Deal Or No Deal Island champion.

After thanking Survivor’s “immensely talented crew”, “crafty players” and “loyal sassy audience”, JLP added at the end of his post: “PS. Whoever said a blindside is the most humane way to put someone down is an idiot. It hurts like a b***h!”

The remark might appear innocuous to most followers; however, longtime viewers would remember that David famously uttered that line during an episode of Champions V Contenders in 2019.

The international model was asked by JLP during Tribal Council what his motive was behind his vote, and he replied: “I mean, I think a blindside is the most human way to put someone down.”

JLP quotes David Genat and called him an ‘idiot’. Photos: Channel 10

Survivor fans divided over JLP’s replacement

Social media users have taken JLP’s comment as confirmation that David will host next year’s season and applauded his “sassy” dig.

“Oooh he ate that,” one person remarked, followed by another who added, “He’s the master of one-liners. What a f**king icon”.

Others said they “can’t stand David” and aren’t looking forward to seeing him on the show; however, many people have been supportive.

Two-time Survivor player Aaron ‘AK’ Knight, who competed alongside David on All Stars in 2020, tells Yahoo Lifestyle that he thinks David would “bring something really special” to the role of host.

“He’s got an unmistakable aura, but what people might not see beyond his on-screen persona is his genuine empathy and emotional intelligence, which I think would translate beautifully in the role,” he shares.

“That said, Jonathan has been an iconic part of Australian Survivor for over a decade, and I’ll always treasure the memories, especially the banter we shared. Big shoes to fill, but if anyone’s got the swagger to do it, it’s David. I just hope people don’t hang s**t on him for living his best life and saying yes to an opportunity that we would all say yes to.”

‘There is no one better suited for the role’

Fellow All Stars contestant Lee Carseldine also tells Yahoo Lifestyle that having played alongside David and knowing him as a “good mate”, he can honestly say “there is no one better suited for the role”.

“He’ll bring his own energy to the show, just like JLP did, but with that signature Golden God flair,” he adds. “He’s hands down the best player the game’s ever seen, so he’ll know exactly what the contestants are going through – mentally, emotionally, and strategically.

“I can’t wait to see him take Tribal to a whole new level of chaos – the kind of chaos fans absolutely live for.”

David hosted the short-lived reality show Rush in 2023. Photo: Channel Nine

‘Different perspective’

Australian Survivor wouldn’t be David’s first time hosting a reality show, as he fronted the short-lived Channel 9 reality show Rush in 2023. One of the show’s finalists, CK, tells Yahoo Lifestyle that he thinks David will be an amazing successor to JLP on Survivor, having seen him in action.

“I’m a big Survivor fan and naturally also a big David Genat fan. It will be sad to see JLP go, but if it is David replacing him, then it will be an amazing opportunity for him to build on his hosting roles on Getaway and Rush,” he says.

“JLP was a great host, he understood the game really well, and was witty and empathetic enough to the players to ask good probing questions at challenges and tribals. If David replaces him, it will be interesting to see whether he brings a different perspective to the questions from having been a player himself.”

David is set to appear as a contestant on Survivor: Australia V The World later this year, which will be JLP’s final season as host.

The upcoming season, which JLP described as “probably our best season ever” in his Instagram post, will see seven fan-favourite Aussie contestants going up against players from the US, South Africa, Finland and New Zealand franchises.