Kyle Sandilands has issued his first public statement since the collapse of his long-running radio partnership with Jackie O Henderson, denying he breached his contract and urging network ARN to allow him to return to air.
In a statement on Tuesday, the KIIS FM breakfast host said he wanted to speak directly to his listeners and colleagues. He acknowledged an on-air argument on 20 February and said he apologised to Henderson that same evening. Sandilands described their relationship as one of the most important in his life and called the potential end of their partnership devastating.
Sandilands disputed ARN's claim that he breached his contract, which runs until 2034. He said the network had prevented him from contacting Henderson or speaking with colleagues, making it impossible to resolve the dispute. The host said he was committed to the contract and asked ARN to honour it.
The dispute originated from an on-air argument during a segment about astrology. ARN suspended Sandilands for what it called an act of serious misconduct. Henderson previously stated she did not quit and was saddened by the events. The future of the Kyle & Jackie O brand, a cornerstone of ARN's commercial strategy, remains uncertain.
