BREAKING. Is Nico Panagio gone from Top Billing? I have the answer . . .

You're reading it here first. With the news that Nico Panagio is the new presenter of Survivor SA, is he being booted from Top Billing on SABC3 as a presenter like what happened to Colin Moss a few years ago when he took the job as Idols presenter (SABC3 didn't want an M-Net personality on their channel)?

I just spoke to Patience Stevens, executive producer of Top Billing and the answer is YES and NO.

Nico Panagio WILL DISAPPEAR from Top Billing, but just during the period of November and December while he's filming Survivor SA.

His disappearance from Top Billing is temporary at the moment and the plan is for him to return to his presenting work on Top Billing once Survivor SA is done.

SABC3 released a statement JUST AFTER M-Net on Nico Panagio.

''We are so pleased Nico has got this job due to the experience and exposure he has gained on SABC3 and Top Billing, and wish him much success with this new project,'' says SABC3 channel head, Mathe Mosito-Okaba.


Meanwhile Top Billing is also starting a new presenter search looking for a NEW MALE PRESENTER. ''It will be extensive auditions that will be carried out countrywide to find the ideal candidate to compliment the Top Billing team in Nico’s absence,'' says Patience.