Sydney radio personality Jackie ‘O’ Henderson has clarified that she did not resign from her position at KIIS FM following a highly publicized dispute with co-host Kyle Sandilands. The clarification comes after ARN Media, KIIS FM’s parent company, announced last week that Henderson would no longer present The Kyle and Jackie O Show, stating she “cannot continue to operate” with Sandilands. The fallout stems from an on-air confrontation in February, leading to Sandilands being temporarily suspended and the show being taken off the air.
The situation has been marked by speculation and misinformation, prompting Henderson to release a statement through her manager, Gemma O’Neill. Henderson expressed her sadness over the potential end of the show, a fixture in Australian radio, and emphasized that her departure was not by choice. The long-running partnership between Henderson and Sandilands, a cornerstone of the KIIS FM breakfast slot, is now facing an uncertain future.
“Over the past few days, there has been a lot of speculation and misinformation about my departure from the show,” Henderson stated. “I want to make one important point very clear: I did not quit or resign. I am deeply saddened by the events of the past week and the possibility of the show ending. This has come as a shock to me, as it has to everyone else.” She continued, “It has been truly heartbreaking to spot how this has unfolded. At this stage, I am unable to say anything further, as I am addressing this through the appropriate legal channels.”
The dispute originated during a live broadcast on February 20th, when Sandilands reportedly questioned Henderson’s work ethic, accusing her of being “unfocused” and having a “fixation” with astrology although discussing a news story about Prince Andrew, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. Henderson subsequently took a break from the show to “gather her thoughts.”
Sandilands offered a brief response when approached for comment by 9News, stating simply, “I can’t really speak.” The pair’s decade-long contract, reportedly worth AU$200 million (approximately US$132 million as of March 7, 2026), was among the most lucrative in Australian media, The Guardian reported. The financial implications of the show’s cancellation are significant for ARN Media.
ARN Media’s announcement on Tuesday confirmed Henderson’s inability to continue working with Sandilands, leading to the immediate removal of The Kyle and Jackie O Show from the airwaves. Sandilands was issued a notice stating his conduct was considered “an act of serious misconduct” and given 14 days to “remedy this breach” or face termination of his contract, as detailed in an ABC News report.
Henderson’s statement concludes with gratitude for the outpouring of support she has received during this challenging time. The future of the breakfast radio slot at KIIS FM remains unclear as legal proceedings unfold and the network assesses its options. The situation highlights the complexities of on-air personalities and the contractual obligations within the Australian media landscape.
As Henderson pursues legal avenues, the radio industry and fans alike await further developments regarding the fate of The Kyle and Jackie O Show and the careers of its two prominent hosts. The coming weeks will likely reveal the extent of the legal challenges and the potential for a resolution, or a permanent split, between Sandilands and Henderson.
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