Coronavirus fears have taken one of Australia’s favourite reality shows to a whole new level.
A recent report has revealed that host Jonathan LaPaglia will not appear in person for the Australian Survivor: All Stars finale that is set to be filmed in Sydney, but will remain in his home in the US and instead star via a satellite link.
Survivor‘s JLP is staying at his home in the US.
(Image: Network Ten)Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, an Endemol Shine spokesperson said in a statement: “The welfare of everyone involved in our shows is our number one priority so the filming will not have a live audience and host Jonathan LaPaglia will stay in the USA rather than travel to Australia.”
However, the iconic host will still be part of the finale, even though he’ll be on another continent.
“He will still be part of the finale via a satellite link from LA,” the spokesperson added.
Meanwhile, there will be one familiar face on set instead, as The Bachelor‘s Osher Gunsberg is expected to take over the question and answer component during the live finale.
WATCH BELOW: Jonathan LaPaglia chats to the TV WEEK at the Logies. Post continues after video…
Jonathan, 50, shared a series of graphics created by US news outlet The Washington Post, which emphasised the importance of social distancing to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
“As a community we can come together and lick this thing….poor choice of words but you know what I mean. By keeping yourself safe you are ultimately keeping everyone safe. We are all soldiers deployed on possibly our most important mission….” the Survivor host wrote in his caption.
“You will save lives by touching feet instead of shaking hands. You will save lives by washing your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. You will save lives by limiting social contact. This isn’t forever, but it is for now,” he added.
Osher Gunsberg, who has appeared on the Survivor spin-off show Talking Tribal will reportedly run the live Q&A.
(Image: Network Ten)Survivor isn’t the only Australian reality show taking precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Dancing With The Stars, The Project and Studio 10 have put a hold on having live studio audiences, while filming of The Voice has been “temporarily postponed.”
“The show is still currently on track to begin airing in its originally planned time frame, which will be announced in the coming months,” a Channel Nine spokesperson told Now To Love.
Jonathan is based in LA with wife Ursula and daughter Tilly.
(Image: Getty)Jonathan, who lives in LA with wife Ursula Brooks and daughter Tilly, has spoken about how he tries to make time for his family in between hectic filming schedules.
“I try to make every single event when I’m back, because I miss out on so much stuff,” Jonathan told TV WEEK in February.
“It’s two-and-a-half months on the island [in Fiji]. I work every day, and there’s no chance to leave.
“That can be tough when you have kids; there’s so much going on, I end up missing so much stuff. So when I’m back, I do everything I possibly can.”
