Jonathan LaPaglia, the beloved host of Australian Survivor, has been sacked by Channel 10 after nearly a decade of hosting the show.
The news was confirmed by LaPaglia himself, who took to Instagram to address the rumors.
A Blindsided LaPaglia Speaks Out
LaPaglia, 55, revealed that he received a phone call from the network informing him that they were going in a “different direction” for the upcoming season. He expressed his shock and disappointment, saying that the decision “hurt like a b***h.”
In his emotional statement, LaPaglia thanked the show’s crew, contestants, and loyal fans, saying that he had loved every moment of hosting the show.
He also took a parting shot at the network, saying that being blindsided is not as humane as they make it out to be.
A New Host on the Horizon
Reality TV veteran and former Australian Survivor winner David Genat is rumored to be replacing LaPaglia as the new host of the show.
Genat recently made headlines for winning a life-changing $9.21 million on the American series Deal or No Deal Island.
Changes at Channel 10
The news comes amid a turbulent period of change at Channel 10, with the current affairs program The Project airing its last show on Friday night after 16 years.
The network has since reshuffled its evening lineup, moving game show Deal or No Deal to 7 pm and launching a new national news and current affairs program.
A Shift in the Australian Broadcasting Landscape
Major broadcasters in Australia have been grappling with an unstable economy and a mass shift to streaming among viewers in recent years.
Nine Network let go of up to 200 staff members last year, while Seven Network has also made significant cuts, including the departure of news boss Anthony De Ceglie.
It’s been a similar story at Channel 7, with the network slashing $100 million in costs and cutting 150 jobs. Popular shows like Millionaire Hot Seat and Australian Ninja Warrior have also been put on hold.