Kyle Sandilands has issued a public apology to his former co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson, expressing devastation over the potential end of their 25-year partnership. In a statement on Tuesday, the KIIS FM host said he had been told by parent company Australian Radio Network (ARN) not to contact Henderson after her contract was terminated on 3 March.
Sandilands said he was suspended for two weeks on the same day, accusing ARN of not running a 'genuine process'. He described an on-air argument on 20 February about a long-standing issue, during which he said things he wished he had said differently. He apologised to Henderson that evening via message, reiterating his love and care for her.
ARN terminated Henderson's contract after she reportedly gave notice that she could not continue working with Sandilands. The company told the ASX that Sandilands was accused of 'serious misconduct' and that the show had been taken off air. Sandilands denies breaching his $100 million contract, which runs until 2034, and is calling on ARN to honour the agreement and let him return to work.
The dispute began when Sandilands mocked Henderson's interest in astrology on air, accusing her of being 'unfocused' and 'off with the pixies'. Henderson became emotional, calling it a 'total attack'. She did not return to work the following week, leading to the show's suspension.
