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He's the self-proclaimed 'Golden God' who, after three seasons of Australian Survivor, is about to step into the role of host.
For David Genat, taking on the coveted role on the popular Channel Ten reality series, has been like a dream come true.
David, 45, was announced as the replacement for Jonathan LaPaglia, who helmed the series for a decade, in August.
Prior to the announcement, David made television history when he walked away with a whopping $9.2million, after winning US game show Deal Or No Deal Island.
'It really feels surreal,' he said ahead of the series premiere of Survivor: Redemption on Monday.
'2025 was such an insane year for me and getting to host Australian Survivor was the cherry on the sundae, a dream come true.'
He's the self-proclaimed 'Golden God' who after three seasons of Australian Survivor is about to step into the role of host. For David Genat, taking on the coveted role on the popular Channel Ten reality series, has been like a dream come true
'It really feels surreal,' he said. '2025 was such an insane year for me and getting to host Australian Survivor was the cherry on the sundae, a dream come true'
David likened the appointment to being in a long-term relationship.
'The show and the people who make it had become such a big part of my life and identity. I guess it was like dating for five years and hoping one day you will get married, and then they propose to you and you get to wear your dream wedding gown,' he said.
David has taken on Survivor three times – in 2019's Champions and Contenders, 2020's All Stars, and again in 2025 on Australia V The World.
He admitted that he found it hard to adapt to his new role, especially watching the current hopefuls compete.
'I was always itching to get back into the game, especially some of the bigger challenge obstacle courses. They are just so fun to run and compete on,' he said.
Despite being a seasoned Survivor veteran, David added that he was constantly surprised by the strategies used by competitors throughout the competition.
'What I loved about this season is I was always surprised by the moves,' he said.
'Survivor strategy can move in waves and people will play the ebbs and flows, but many times this season it felt like they would just stand and let a wave crash into them. It was carnage.'
David, 45, was announced as the replacement for Jonathan LaPaglia, who helmed the series for a decade, in August
David has taken on Survivor three times – in 2019's Champions and Contenders, 2020's All Stars and again in 2025 on Australia V The World. He admitted that he found it hard to adapt to his new role, especially while watching the current hopefuls compete
David added that there were times during filming that he had to bite his tongue to prevent giving advice to players.
'The idol play was especially hard because I would be thinking, Why are you doing that? Do this. But I’m also eating three meals a day and sleeping in a bed.'
Another challenge David faced was not to show favouritism among competitors – especially Harry Hills and Brooke Jowett, who started in the same tribe in Survivor All Stars.
'I’m very good friends with both of them, so I had to take a really hard line about not talking to them before the game started or showing them any preferential treatment, because we respect the game above all else,' he said.
'It was pretty fun to have them out there talking smack to me from the game mat.'
Ahead of Sunday's season premiere, David also had some advice for would-be Survivors.
'The trait that gets you furthest in the game is your social play, never showing you’re angry or frustrated to your tribemates until the right time,' he said.
'The fastest way to get sent home is to be annoying, everyone is already at their wits' end and if you’re scraping the rice bowl with a shell at 3am, you’ve got to go.'
'I was always itching to get back into the game, especially some of the bigger challenge obstacle courses. They are just so fun to run and compete on,' he said
The anticipated season will see returning contestants Simon Mee, Brooke Jowett, Harry Hills and Titans Vs Rebels finalist Mark Warnock face off against a fresh-faced crop of first-time players
The anticipated season will see returning contestants Simon Mee, Brooke Jowett, Harry Hills and Titans Vs Rebels finalist Mark Warnock face off against a fresh-faced crop of first-time players.
Among the new cast members is former Big Brother star Johnson Ashak, who featured in the 2023 season of the reality hit.
New Zealander Cat Hooker, who featured on the Kiwi version of The Traitors, is new to Survivor, alongside model and content creator Lyndl Kean.
Also making his debut as a castaway is country star Don Rogers, who is the brother of Mat Rogers from Champions V Contenders.
Other newcomers include budding actress Aisha Wighton, Lottie Rae from the ABC's Portrait Artist of the Year, pro-wrestler Jackson Goonrey, AFL star Ben Nabea Davis, and Eliza Reilly, creator of hit web series Sheilas.
Vet nurse Paula Drew, chef Faith Setiawan, law student Tez Vlamis, former News.com boss Richard Skimin, fitness instructor Dr Blanche Cruz, truckie Caleb Beeby, pastor Daniel Lindberg and Lauren 'Loz' Mac fill out the newcomers.
Australian Survivor: Redemption will premiere at 7:30pm on Monday 23 February on Channel Ten.
English (US) ·