Kyle Sandilands has been missing on recent episodes of Australian Idol, sparking concern about whether he will be returning to the Channel Seven show.
His absence coincides with the recent on-air clash with Jackie ‘O’ Henderson on KIIS FM’s The Kyle & Jackie O Show.
The radio star, 54, has not been featured in five recent audition episodes, with his absence left unexplained while 2006 runner-up Jessica Mauboy sat in Kyle’s seat.
It is believed that the episodes Kyle was absent from were filmed on the evening of Friday, February 20, several hours after he had an explosive on-air clash with his co-star Jackie, which resulted in her leaving the show.
TV Tonight media commentator David Knox said the ambiguity around Kyle’s absence was ‘disappointing’.
‘Kyle’s absences on screen haven’t been adequately explained to audiences which is disappointing,’ he said.
Kyle Sandilands has been missing on recent episodes of Australian Idol, sparking concern about whether he will be returning to the Channel Seven show
‘This comes at a time when the remaining judges tell crook singers they must push through illness, reminiscent of the old adage that ‘the show must go on.’ Unless you’re Kyle, it seems.’
There are even rumours that Mauboy’s stint as guest judge is a trial to see if she is suited for a more permanent role on the show.
Daily Mail has approached Channel Seven for comment.
ARN announced on Tuesday that Jackie’s $100million contract has been terminated after she told executives she ‘cannot continue to work with Mr Kyle Sandilands’ following his harsh comments on air that left her in tears.
Kyle has been suspended and given 14 days to ‘remedy’ the breach, or else faces termination.
The duo signed a 10-year deal with Australian Radio Network (ARN) in 2023, and have eight years left on the contract.
They were paid a reported $200 million in that landmark negotiation and earned approximately $47,000 per episode.
Jackie, 51, has been absent from The Kyle & Jackie O Show since Friday, 20 February, after Kyle accused her of being unfocused at work.
His absence coincides with the recent on-air clash with Jackie ‘O’ Henderson on KIIS FM’s The Kyle & Jackie O Show
The radio star, 54, has not been featured in five recent audition episodes, with his absence left unexplained while 2006 runner-up Jessica Mauboy sat in Kyle’s seat. (Also Pictured: Amy Shark (right) and Marcia Hines (centre)
During the on-air feud, she broke down in tears when the pair were discussing Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
Kyle got angry at her when she proceeded to read out the disgraced royal’s birth chart.
He lambasted his co-star, claiming that her love for astrology was affecting her work.
She took a leave of absence following the altercation, and was expected to return to the show on March 2.
However, that was not to be.
