Laura Byrne and her husband Matty 'J' Johnson have launched scathing public attacks on controversial radio host Kyle Sandilands, following the dramatic collapse of his long-running KIIS FM breakfast programme. The couple, who met on The Bachelor in 2017, did not hold back in expressing their disgust at Sandilands' behaviour towards his co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson.
Contract Termination After On-Air Tears
Fans of The Kyle & Jackie O Show were left stunned on Tuesday when it was announced that Henderson's lucrative contract had been terminated. This came after she informed executives that she "cannot continue to work with Mr Kyle Sandilands" following harsh comments he made on air last month that reduced her to tears.
Instagram Outrage
Laura Byrne, 39, was quick to comment on an Instagram post discussing the clash, writing pointedly: "Humiliating your co-host on air until they cry. Nice." Her husband Matty Johnson, 38, followed with his own post announcing Jackie's departure, stating: "Who would have thought that years of casual misogyny on radio might have consequences."
The social media posts attracted significant attention, with former Miss Universe Olivia Molly Rogers among those supporting Jackie Henderson. "Finally! She's so much better without him," Rogers commented.
Historical Tensions and Past Incidents
The couple's animosity towards Sandilands appears to stem from previous incidents involving their close friend and Laura's podcast co-host Brittany Hockley. In 2022, Hockley temporarily filled in for Jackie O on the KIIS FM show and became embroiled in a "slut-shaming" controversy with media personality Abbie Chatfield.
During an interview with American rapper Yung Gravy, Sandilands and Hockley made jokes about Chatfield's dating life. While Sandilands led the questioning, Chatfield later accused Hockley of being complicit in the "misogyny" by failing to speak up. Hockley subsequently apologised on Instagram for her involvement in what she described as "misogynistic tones" during the interview.
Another Emotional On-Air Moment
In a separate incident that further strained relationships, Hockley was reduced to tears live on air when Sandilands' brother Chris called the show to criticise her performance as a stand-in host. Chris Sandilands told her: "Here's the problem with Brittany, right? Within the first five minutes of you being on that show, you changed it from O News to B News."
He went on to attack her vocal style, saying: "And it's just that podcasting voice that you've got mate. I can't handle it. It's not breakfast radio for me." Despite Kyle Sandilands attempting to lighten the mood and defend Hockley's award-winning podcast, the criticism visibly upset her.
Official Fallout and Consequences
KIIS FM's parent company Australian Radio Network (ARN) confirmed on Tuesday that The Kyle and Jackie O Show had ended after Henderson's $100 million, 10-year contract was terminated. The decision followed the February 20 on-air altercation during which Sandilands chastised Henderson's alleged "fixation" with astrology.
ARN revealed that Sandilands' actions during this incident constituted "an act of serious misconduct." The shock jock has been suspended and given 14 days to "remedy" the breach, or face termination himself. This development marks a significant turning point in Australian radio, ending one of the country's most successful and controversial breakfast partnerships.
