Jackie 'O' Henderson has issued a statement denying she quit or resigned from the Kyle and Jackie O Show, contradicting her employer's account. The co-host said she is 'deeply saddened' by the possibility of the show ending and described media reports as 'speculation and misinformation'.
Her statement comes after the Australian Radio Network (ARN) told the stock exchange that Henderson had given notice she could not work with Kyle Sandilands and that her contract had been terminated. ARN also accused Sandilands of 'serious misconduct' and suspended him for 14 days.
The dispute erupted a fortnight ago 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, and after ten days ARN took the show off air.
Henderson indicated she would take legal action but did not specify against whom. 'The current media narrative does not reflect what actually occurred,' she said, adding she was addressing the matter through legal channels. Each host signed a record £100 million contract in 2023 for a decade of breakfast shows.
ARN said Sandilands must show how he will remedy the alleged breach of his services agreement or face termination. The broadcaster also faces potential enforcement action from the Australian Communications and Media Authority over previous vulgar content on the show.
