On Monday, February 23, at 7.30 pm, a new era of Australian Survivor begins, with Redemption.

Featuring 24 castaways who each land on the beach with their own personal mission, something to prove or a regret to make right, the season also marks the first with the Golden God at the helm.

"It really feels surreal," David told 10, "2025 was such an insane year for me, and getting to host Australian Survivor was the cherry on the sundae, a dream come true. The show and the people who make it had become such a big part of my life and identity."

First appearing on Champions v Contenders II in 2019, David emerged as a fan favourite, returning the next year for All Stars, where he was crowned Sole Survivor, and celebrated as one of the best to play the game. Last year, David returned for Australia v The World, but the target on his back was too juicy, and his torch was snuffed early on.

But what is it about the world's greatest game that keeps drawing him back?

"The first time you play it's a full reality shift on what you think is important and what you prioritise," he explained. "You get to find out what you are really made of, what challenges you can overcome, and, after you have experienced that, you start chasing it.

"Survivor is the ultimate test of all your life experience and skills. It really shows you who you are, and once you have a taste of that, you want more."

After competing three times, David now steps into the role of a lifetime, hosting Redemption. And, as a fan of the show, he now has the greatest seat in the house to watch the season unfold.

"What I loved about this season is I was always surprised by the moves," David 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 admitted that, sitting at tribal council, there were many moments where he was itching to give players advice. "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."

With the overarching theme of Redemption, David said he could see how that affected how players approached the game. "When you are out there playing, you kind of cling onto small things to keep you going.

"For me, in Season 4, it was being a 'champion'. For Season 5, we would be like, 'We are All Stars', we have to be better... the best of us has to win'.

"With Redemption, everyone took it personally and really wanted to succeed. It made them play even harder."

As an added bonus, David not only gets a front-row seat to all the action at tribal council, but as host, he now gets to enjoy the Survivor experience -- and go back to an actual bed at night.

"It was awesome because I didn't have to remember who I had lied to at Trial and then do damage control in the pitch black!"

Don't miss the premiere of Australian Survivor: Redemption on Monday, February 23, at 7.30pm. Watch + Stream Free On 10.