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Daily Mail
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Rumours swirl about Survivor Australia host Jonathan LaPaglia's new TV gig after he is dumped from show - and it would be the ultimate revenge on Channel 10
Former Survivor Australia host Jonathan LaPaglia may just get the ultimate revenge on Channel Ten as rumours swirl about his next TV gig. The 55-year-old, who fronted the hit show for nine years before getting the axe, is reportedly in the running for an even bigger opportunity. Jonathan could be eyed to replace Jeff Probst as host of the US iteration of Survivor. Jeff, 63, who has been the face of Survivor US for 25 years since its inception in 2000, recently posted a video on Instagram in the build-up to the series' 50th season in Fiji. However, fans were quick to point out the long-time host's lack of enthusiasm in the clip, with a few suggesting he step down from the role and let Jonathan take the reins. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Former Survivor Australia host Jonathan LaPaglia (pictured) may just get the ultimate revenge as rumours swirl of his next TV gig 'Bro's not excited at all,' one fan wrote, sparking speculation that he may be on his way to retirement. '[JLP's] my pick for replacement host if Jeff retires,' another penned. The US opportunity would be a good move for Jonathan, who already lives in Los Angeles with his wife Ursula Brooks and their daughter Tilly. Jonathan confirmed last week he has been axed as host of Australian Survivor after nearly a decade in the role. The media personality will make his final appearance on the upcoming season, Australia V The World, set to air later this year. In a lengthy Instagram post, Jonathan said he was shocked by Channel Ten's decision to let him go, which was first revealed by Daily Mail Australia on Sunday. He also revealed the brutal way the network delivered the news - via telephone. 'Australian Survivor has seen some of the most epic blindsides over the last 10 years, but this one might just be the craziest of them all… because it happened to me,' he began on Instagram. 'I received a call from the Network thanking me for all my hard work and dedication to the show, but for next season they are "going in a different direction,"' he explained. 'Ratings had dipped a bit recently, and they wanted to do something drastic to shake things up. So for the first time ever, this is not a tribe swap, but a host swap. Yes, you read that right. 'I wish I could say, "Before we go to vote, tonight is a little different… no one's going home." But I can't. None of that non-elim bulls**t tonight! Someone IS going home. And with no idol in my back pocket, that someone is me.' 'I wish I could say, "Before we go to vote, tonight is a little different… no one's going home". But I can't. None of that non-elim bulls**t tonight! Someone IS going home. And with no idol in my back pocket, that someone is me.' 'I have loved and will dearly miss the immensely talented crew, all the crafty players, and our loyal, sassy audience. I'm a huge fan of this incredible game, always have been, always will be.' 'It has been one of the greatest adventures of my career to helm Australian Survivor, so it is without a doubt the hardest challenge of all to snuff my own torch, but here goes: "JLP… the tribe has spoken."' In what some are calling a risky move, Jonathan is expected to be replaced by Survivor: All Stars winner and former model David Genat - who recently made headlines after winning a whopping US$5.8 million (AU$8.7 million) on Deal or No Deal Island in the US. But not everyone is convinced he's the right man for the job. 'He doesn't fit the brief,' one source close added. 'He's charismatic, sure - but Survivor needs someone with gravitas. David is not Jonathan, and viewers will notice that.' The hosting change comes amid a ratings slump for the once high-flying franchise. The most recent season, Brains v Brawn II, saw viewership plummet to as low as 486,000 total overnight viewers - a far cry from the million-plus numbers it once pulled.
Daily Mail
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Jonathan LaPaglia's wife speaks out after his brutal axing from Survivor Australia and slams Channel Ten: 'He doesn't deserve this'
The wife of Australian Survivor host Jonathan LaPaglia has broken her silence after his brutal axing by Channel 10. Jonathan appeared to take a dig at his rumoured replacement, David Genat, in an Instagram post made earlier this week as the 55-year-old expressed his hurt at being punted from the hit show. At the end of the lengthy post, LaPaglia wrote: 'Whoever said a blindside is the most humane way to put someone down is an idiot. It hurts like a bitch!' Eagle-eyed fans noted that Genat famously uttered those exact words during an episode in 2019. Ursula Brooks, who has been married to Jonathan for 27 years, made her feelings known in the crowded comments section. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'Humbling to see all the love and outrage for Jonathan LaPaglia on this post,' she wrote. 'It has been horrible to witness the shock and confusion of this decision by Survivor AU from a front-row seat.' Ursula did not mince her words as she tagged the official Survivor Australia account in her comment. 'You did not deserve this and it seems the real tribe has spoken, Jonny,' Ursula said. 'We and the Australian Survivor audience love you.' The Australian TV host, who has helmed the Channel 10 show since its revival in 2016, was inundated with messages of support from his fellow celebrities and reality TV alums. KIIS FM radio host Jackie 'O' Henderson said Jonathan is the 'Greatest Of All Time'. 'It won't be the same without you JLP,' Jackie said with a broken heart emoji. Big Brother winner Reggie Bird typed out several dozen poop emojis and wrote: 'This is absolute bulls**t.' 'King George of Bankstown', whose real name is George Mladenov, said Jonathan is 'the best host in the business'. The Sydney reality TV personality, who found fame on the Australian Survivor "Brains vs. Brawn" and "Heroes vs. Villains" seasons, wrote: '[You] let the game breathe, [were] impartial and iconically hilarious. Your excellent hosting let the Episode 7 tribal council unfold the way it did because you had the skills and experience to just let it happen and let it keep going.' George's comment has been liked just shy of 2,000 times. Meanwhile, American Season 43 contestant Owen Knight slammed the network's decision to fire Jonathan as 'boneheaded.' 'You were phenomenal and I can tell the players loved you. Respect from across the world,' he wrote, while Sydney chef Colin Fassnidge added: 'He is the show.' Jonathan's sign-off all but confirms Genat, a former model turned professional reality TV game player, is stepping into his role. It is no surprise Jonathan is furious after he was sacked via an email from producers at EndemolShine Australia, the company behind Survivor. The Australian TV host, who has helmed the Channel 10 show its revival in 2016, was inundated with messages of support from his fellow celebrities and reality TV alums This was before anyone from Ten had the chance to pick up the phone. The message pinged in his inbox after he had wrapped filming on his last season of Survivor, Australia v The World, which is slated to air later this year. 'He got an email first. That was the initial comms from EndemolShine,' a source said. 'Then a call came from Ten, but by then it was already done. It's really not how you treat someone who's been part of the show for almost a decade.' The decision to break the news via email, described by insiders as 'clinical' and 'cold', has shocked those involved with the show. According to multiple insiders, the decision to replace Jonathan was made well before Australia v The World began filming in September last year, but was kept tightly under wraps to avoid overshadowing the season. 'It was locked in for months,' one spy said. 'They wanted to avoid a backlash during filming and post-production - but now the torches have been lit, and not just in Samoa.' Soon after Daily Mail Australia broke the news of his axing, Jonathan issued a statement confirming he had been dropped - describing his exit as the one blindside he didn't see coming.
Daily Mail
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Jonathan LaPaglia looks downcast during a family stroll in Los Angeles as he is seen for the first time since being brutally fired from Australian Survivor via email
Jonathan LaPaglia has been seen for the first time since news emerged he was fired from Australian Survivor after almost 10 years as host. The 55-year-old appeared downcast as he went for a family stroll in Los Angeles on Tuesday, just hours after Daily Mail Australia revealed that LaPaglia was left blindsided after learning of his sacking via email. LaPaglia, who had been the face of the franchise since 2016, was spotted on a family walk with his wife Ursula Brooks and their daughter Tilly. The TV star showed off his muscular arms in a singlet and appeared deep in thought as he walked alongside Tilly, who held their dog's leash. He completed his casual look with navy shorts and a pair of comfortable sneakers. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. The 55-year-old appeared downcast as he went for a family stroll in Los Angeles on Tuesday, just hours after Daily Mail Australia revealed that LaPaglia was left blindsided after learning of his sacking via email Daily Mail Australia exclusively revealed on Tuesday, the first LaPaglia heard of his sacking was in an email from producers at EndemolShine Australia, the company behind Survivor. This was before anyone from Ten had the chance to pick up the phone. The message pinged in his inbox after he had wrapped filming on his last season of Survivor, Australia v The World, which is slated to air later this year. 'He got an email first. That was the initial comms from EndemolShine,' a source said. 'Then a call came from Ten, but by then it was already done. It's really not how you treat someone who's been part of the show for almost a decade.' The decision to break the news via email, described by insiders as 'clinical' and 'cold', has shocked those involved with the show. 'It wasn't just a job to him,' the source added. 'Jonathan took this seriously - gym, set, repeat. If you've ever watched the man storm tribal council in head-to-toe linen, you know he gave it everything. 'He was passionate, outspoken and protective over the format - especially when production barged in with changes. 'I cannot stress this enough: JLP didn't just show up to read lines. He lived it.' According to multiple insiders, the decision to replace LaPaglia was made well before Australia v The World began filming in September last year, but was kept tightly under wraps to avoid overshadowing the season. 'It was locked in for months,' one spy said. 'They wanted to avoid a backlash during filming and post-production - but now the torches have been lit, and not just in Samoa.' Soon after Daily Mail Australia broke the news of his axing, LaPaglia issued a statement confirming he had been dropped - describing his exit as the one blindside he didn't see coming. 'Australian Survivor has seen some of the most epic blindsides over the last 10 years, but this one might just be the craziest of them all… because it happened to me,' he wrote on Instagram. 'I received a call from the network thanking me for all my hard work and dedication to the show but for next season they are "going in a different direction". Ratings had dipped a bit recently and they wanted to do something drastic to shake things up. Soon after Daily Mail Australia broke the news of his axing, LaPaglia issued a statement confirming he had been dropped - describing his exit as the one blindside he didn't see coming According to multiple insiders, the decision to replace LaPaglia was made well before Australia v The World began filming in September last year, but was kept tightly under wraps to avoid overshadowing the season Sources close to production say that LaPaglia was 'devastated' after learning Genat was in talks with both the network and production to replace him 'So for the first time ever this is not a tribe swap, but a host swap. Yes, you read that right.' 'I wish I could say, "Before we go to vote, tonight is a little different… no one's going home." But I can't. None of that non-elim bulls**t tonight! Someone IS going home. And with no idol in my back pocket, that someone is me. 'It has been one of the greatest adventures of my career to helm Australian Survivor, so it is without a doubt the hardest challenge of all to snuff my own torch but here goes: "JLP… the tribe has spoken".' While no replacement has been officially announced, our sources say Survivor: All Stars winner David Genat will step into the role from 2026. Sources close to production say that LaPaglia was 'devastated' after learning Genat was in talks with both the network and production to replace him.
