Reality TV star David Genat has taken a subtle swipe at axed Australian Survivor host Jonathan LaPaglia, after being announced as the new presenter on the Channel Ten series.

Genat, who began his Survivor journey as a contestant on Australian Survivor: Champions v Contenders in 2019, took aim at LaPaglia in a statement, assuring 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,’ Genat 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.’

Paramount Australia’s SVP Content and Programming Daniel Monaghan expressed his excitement about Genat stepping into the role.

Reality TV star David Genat (pictured) has taken a subtle swipe at axed Australian Survivor host Jonathan LaPaglia, after being announced as the new presenter on the Channel Ten series

‘As we step into this exciting new era, there was simply no better person to pass the baton to – David’s track record, not just on Survivor,’ he said.

‘But across reality TV worldwide, is unrivalled. There’s no one with more real-time experience and game knowledge to help steer this epic season.’

However, viewers were reluctant to embrace Genat in the role and took to social media to reveal they would be boycotting the series.

‘This really sucks. Australian Survivor is great and Jonathan was the perfect host. Yet producers fired him and hired this clown,’ one person sniped.

‘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.

It comes after LaPaglia’s replacement on Australian Survivor was officially announced.

In one of the worst kept secrets in TV history, former Survivor winner David Genat is taking over as the host of the series, Channel Ten confirmed on Monday.

Genat took subtle aim at LaPaglia (pictured) in a statement, assuring viewers he would not let them down

It comes after LaPaglia’s replacement on Australian Survivor was officially announced. In one of the worst kept secrets in TV history, Channel Ten confirmed on Monday that Genat is taking over as the host of the series

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.

Meanwhile, LaPaglia shocked fans in June when he confirmed he had been axed from the series, after almost a decade at the helm.

The TV personality 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 premiered on Sunday.

He 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. I didn’t get a direct call… disappointing,’ he told The Daily Telegraph.

Production is already underway for the 2026 season, with Genat recently spotted arriving overseas to begin filming, but insiders say tensions behind the scenes remain unresolved.

Producers replaced the charismatic TV host with David, a former contestant whose unexpected promotion has sparked backlash among fans and confusion on set.