Luke Toki King of the (media) jungle

THE PEOPLE’S CHAMPION OF ‘AUSTRALIAN SURVIVOR’ REIGNS OVER FANS’ HEARTS AND SCREENS

- Cynthia Wang

From the moment he wakes up and hears notifications buzzing on his phone, Luke Toki sees them. Best wishes, inspirational stories and words of gratitude from places as far as Dubai, Germany and the US pour in, some from people just seeing his appearances on 2017’s Australian Survivor for the first time on last year’s Champions v. Contenders edition.

The Perth-based mining technician takes a moment to digest each one. “I swear, in the last few days, if you could read some of the messages,” Toki says, and then apologises for taking a second to scroll down the list. “Like, ‘When I watched you on Survivor, I was so inspired that I want to thank you so much for inspiring me to be better at school and to try harder when I fail.’”

The sentiments can be overwhelming for Toki, 33. “It’s an ongoing thing,” he explains. “I’m replying to 90 per cent of the messages I can. I’m trying to thank people, send birthday messages to people, trying to be proactive and engaged rather than shutting myself off.”

That sincere bond, plus his very watchable blend of larrikin, gamer and doting dad, has made Toki a bona fide reality star, now co-hosting hit 10 Play recap show and podcast Australian Survivor Talking Tribal with James Mathison.

“He’s a natural, you know?” says veteran presenter Mathison, 42.