An industry insider has revealed the hidden meaning in Kyle Sandilands' emotional statement amid the breakdown of The Kyle and Jackie O Show. Sandilands broke his silence on Tuesday, claiming he has been 'muzzled' by his employers, Australian Radio Network (ARN), and barred from contacting his long-time co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson or speaking with colleagues.
Entertainment reporter Peter Ford pointed out some very telling comments in the content of the bombshell statement. 'He's clearly saying, let me get back on air - I think he's accepted that he and Jackie O are not going to be a team ever again,' Ford told 2GB's Clinton Maynard. 'And if you know much about Kyle, he's like a real radio animal, he needs to be on the radio in the same way that Dracula needs blood.' Ford added: 'He wants to be on the radio and I think he will be again in the future. You're not going to keep him away.'
The top-rating KIIS FM breakfast host, 54, addressed listeners directly on Tuesday after he was suspended from The Kyle and Jackie O Show and accused of serious misconduct following an on-air spat with Henderson last month. Henderson's $100 million contract was also terminated after she told executives she 'cannot continue to work with Mr Kyle Sandilands' after the fallout.
'I want to speak directly to my listeners, my colleagues and the public about what has been happening,' Sandilands began in his statement. 'On 20 February, I had an argument with Jackie on air about something that had been bothering me for a while. I said things I wish I had said differently.' Sandilands went on to say that he privately apologised to Henderson after the feud and deeply regretted hurting his long-time co-host's feelings.
The shock jock went on to claim ARN had imposed some strict conditions amid the fallout. 'ARN told me that I am not allowed to contact Jackie. They have told me that I am not allowed to speak to my colleagues. I did what was asked even though it made it impossible for me to do the one thing anyone in my position would want to do – pick up the phone and talk to the person I have been talking with continually for my entire career,' he explained.
His statement comes after The Australian reported that the radio titan has 'called in lawyers' and is 'preparing to sue' ARN should his contract be terminated. Sandilands insisted: 'I have a contract with ARN that runs until 2034. I am committed to that contract. Despite what ARN says, I am not in breach of that contract. I want to be on air. I want to be with my audience. I want to do the job I have done my entire adult life.'
