Plenty of former contestants have shared their thoughts on Jonathan LaPaglia’s surprising replacement.

Australian Survivor's original host Jonathan LaPaglia.

Channel 10 has announced who will replace Jonathan LaPaglia as host of Australian Survivor. Photo: Channel 10

Following numerous speculations and online theories, Channel 10 has finally announced who will replace Jonathan LaPaglia as host of Australian Survivor. The network revealed on Monday evening that three-time contestant David Genat will be taking on the role for the show’s upcoming twelfth season, titled Australian Survivor: Redemption.

David, aka the ‘Golden God’, first competed on Champions V Contenders in 2019 before returning for All Stars the following year and being crowned Sole Survivor. He more recently took part in Survivor: Australia V The World, but was the second person to have their torch snuffed and left the game in Monday night’s episode.

“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,” David said in a statement. “But Survivor is not about me; it’s about the incredible players who put everything on the line to outwit, outplay, and outlast.

“I am pumped for the fans to meet the new crop of Survivors next season.”

Australian Survivor's new host David Genat.

David will host the show’s upcoming twelfth season, titled Australian Survivor: Redemption. Photo: Channel 10

Outside of his appearances on Survivor, David was a contestant on The Celebrity Apprentice in 2021 and hosted the short-lived Channel 9 series Rush in 2023.

The international model also made global headlines earlier this year when he won a whopping US$5.8 million (AU$9.2 million) on Deal or No Deal Island in the US, which is the biggest cash prize ever awarded on network television.

Daniel Monaghan, SVP Content and Programming at Paramount Australia, said in a statement that there was “simply no better person to pass the baton to” as the show enters a new era.

“David’s track record, not just on Survivor but across reality TV worldwide, is unrivalled, and there’s no one with more real-time experience and game knowledge to help steer this epic season,” he detailed.

“Survivor has always been about the players who pour their heart and soul into every moment, and this new batch of castaways certainly have their work cut out for them, as we introduce our thrilling new theme: Redemption – giving everyday contestants a chance to rewrite their story for a shot at greatness.”

 

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While fans have had a mixed reaction on social media to the news, with many arguing that JLP should have never been fired, David has received plenty of support from his Survivor co-stars.

“Game changer in every way,” Parvati Shallow wrote, while Nick Iadanza added, “A changing of the guard and a new era beckons. Good luck brother”.

“Just don’t laugh when you have to snuff someone’s torch and you will be fine haha but seriously congratulations @davidgenat cut the sleeves off that shirt too,” Luke Toki commented.

“Golden God at the helm: Survivor is officially a religion,” fellow winner Mark Wales remarked, followed by Felicity Egginton who said, “Congrats Dave!!! I’m obviously absolutely devastated for JLP but I am glad that someone who LOVES and breathes the game will take it on. Good luck Dave!”.

“The end of an iconic era with JLP, but I’m so excited to see @davidgenat serving it at tribal and snuffing those torches! Congrats dear friend. A worthy rival, and now a most worthy host!” Sharn Coombes replied.

Janine Allis, who has played alongside her “great friend” David on two seasons of Australian Survivor and was also an advisor on his season of The Celebrity Apprentice, recently told Yahoo Lifestyle that she believes “change is good”.

“[JLP] has done a great job, but I’m also a firm believer that, you know, I think change is good too. So I think that he’s done a great job, and let’s see what the future holds with it,” she said.

“I think whoever they put in that position, they’ll do a great job. It’s like MasterChef. People went, ‘Oh my God, they’re getting rid of the [judges]’. The game is bigger than it. That’s my view, anyway, even though JLP did a great job.”