Kyle Sandilands was reportedly never officially accused of bullying Jackie 'O' Henderson, as his former employer alleges.
Countersuit Filed by ARN
Australian Radio Network (ARN), through its subsidiary Commonwealth Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), filed a countersuit against both Sandilands, 54, and Henderson, 51, on Tuesday. They allege that Sandilands created a workplace so toxic that Henderson refused to ever work with him again.
Source Denies Complaints
However, a source close to Sandilands told news.com.au that he was never made aware of any complaints or official warnings about his behaviour. 'I could not be more clear, there was never anything said to Kyle about his behaviour towards Jackie – not a single thing,' the source said.
A key component of ARN's statement of claim is a letter from management sent to Sandilands on 12 December 2025, in which the shock jock was told to comply with the network's safe work and code of conduct policies.
However, the source claimed that the letter was sent in relation to the Australian Communications and Media Authority issuing breach findings against the Kyle & Jackie O show in October 2025. 'That was about ARN wanting to get on the front foot and putting together content guidelines, so there wouldn’t be anything further from ACMA,' the source said. 'It was nothing to do with Jackie.'
No Direct Reference to Complaints
ARN's statement of claim also references complaints both Henderson and her manager Gemma O'Neill made to ARN management about Sandilands' alleged bullying, but there is no direct reference to these complaints being relayed to Sandilands.
The source added that Sandilands' legal team was trawling through 'hundreds of hours' of the Kyle & Jackie O show for examples of arguments between the pair that were promoted by the network. This would bolster the suggestion in Sandilands' statement of claim that the 'banter and tension' between the duo was a 'central dynamic' to the show.
ARN's Allegations
ARN's statement of claim argues that the now-infamous February 20 on-air clash that saw both Henderson and Sandilands' contracts terminated was not an isolated incident. The company claims Sandilands' 'destruction of his relationship with Ms Henderson' was the culmination of 'a persistent course of workplace bullying and harassment of Ms Henderson of which she had complained' – conduct it says amounted to a serious breach of his contract.
However, the source suggested that these incidents represented a failing on the part of ARN, given that Sandilands was reportedly never made aware of any alleged breaches of conduct. 'If they’re pointing out all these apparent ‘horrific’ things Kyle did, isn’t that a failing on ARN’s behalf that this is the first time Kyle has heard about their issues with his demeanour?' they said.
Sandilands Open to Settlement
As the legal battle continues, the source added that Sandilands is still open to a settlement with ARN, but is prepared to 'spend years fighting' if necessary. Daily Mail has reached out to Kyle Sandilands' representatives for comment.
Sandilands and Henderson are both suing the broadcaster for wrongful termination, while CBC is fighting back, accusing the duo of triggering major financial losses after their ratings‑leading show imploded following the on‑air stoush in February.
Behind-the-Scenes Blow-Up
According to the court documents, the once rock‑solid friendship – forged over more than 20 years on air – had already fractured months earlier, with a massive behind‑the‑scenes blow‑up in September last year. CBC alleges Sandilands spoke 'contemptuously' to Henderson during an on‑air argument - an incident she has also cited in her statement of claim against the network.
But the argument didn't stop when the microphones were switched off. 'Kyle, that's a bit rough, like f***en hell, I haven't done anything to f***en cop it,' Henderson is alleged to have said, according to CBC's defence documents. Sandilands is then claimed to have fired back: 'You wanna know the truth, here's the truth. Today's the first day you've ever paid any attention or had to carry anything in the opener, and it's all s**t.'
The documents allege the exchange deteriorated further, with the pair telling each other 'f**k you'. Sandilands is then alleged to have doubled down, accusing Henderson of being 'too much of a mother hen' and not focused enough on the show. 'Don't f***ing bother coming back either until you get your f***ing s**t together like a normal person,' he is alleged to have said.
According to the defence documents, Sandilands claimed he had been 'carrying this whole show for a f***ing year', complaining that every time he raised concerns, 'newsreader Brooklyn Ross and others said nothing'.
Unfair Dismissal Claims
Both stars have since launched separate unfair dismissal claims against their former employer, with Sandilands seeking $85million and Henderson $82million. The eye‑watering figures represent what the pair say they are still owed under their axed contracts, which had been worth about $10million per year each.
The company flatly rejects Sandilands' claim that his sacking was unlawful, as well as Henderson's assertion that she was dismissed for exercising her right to a psychologically safe workplace. The February on‑air explosion is also alleged to have breached the NSW Work Health and Safety Act.
