Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson are reportedly back in ‘regular contact’ amid speculation they both want to return to The Kyle and Jackie O Show.
According to News.com.au, Henderson reached out to Sandilands, 54, last week amid reports he was feeling ‘betrayed’ by their employers, ARN, after his on-air fight with Henderson, 51, led to his suspension and her contract being terminated.
After connecting, both Sandilands and Henderson apparently realised ARN had told them separately that both parties didn’t want to be contacted by the other.
‘They both realised, like, “Why aren’t we allowed to talk to each other?”‘ a source said.
The publication also claims the meeting came before Henderson’s statement last Friday, in which she announced she had not quit or resigned from the radio show.
Sandilands apparently blames ARN for ‘exploiting a very emotional Jackie’, with the insider saying Sandilands and Henderson both feel they have been ‘f**ked over’ by their employer.
Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson are reportedly back in ‘regular contact’ amid speculation they both want to return to The Kyle and Jackie O Show
It was reported on Monday that the pair were hoping to return to The Kyle and Jackie O Show together.
A source told The Daily Telegraph, Sandilands and Henderson are ‘talking and want to do radio again’.
‘The ball will be in ARN’s court as to how this goes forward,’ the source alleged.
KIIS FM’s parent company, ARN, announced last week that Henderson’s $100 million contract had been terminated after she told executives she ‘cannot continue to work with Mr Kyle Sandilands’ following his harsh on-air comments that left her in tears.
However, in a statement issued through her manager, Gemma O’Neill, Henderson stated she ‘did not quit or resign’, that she was ‘deeply saddened… [by] the possibility of the show ending’, and that her exit ‘has come as a shock to me’.
Meanwhile, ARN provided written notice to Sandilands stating that it considers his behaviour during the show on February 20 to be ‘an act of serious misconduct which is in breach of ARN’s service agreement with Quasar Media.’
Sandilands has been suspended and given 14 days to ‘remedy’ the breach, or else he faces termination.
The radio titan is said to have called in lawyers and is ‘preparing to sue’ ARN should his $100 million contract be terminated following the collapse of the show last month.
According to News.com.au , Henderson reached out to Sandilands, 54, last week amid reports he was feeling ‘betrayed’ by their employers, ARN, after his on-air fight with Henderson, 51, led to his suspension and her contract being terminated
On Tuesday, Sandilands released his own statement, claiming he has been ‘muzzled’ by ARN, and barred from contacting Henderson or speaking with colleagues.
‘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.
‘That same evening, I sent Jackie a message telling her I was sorry for anything I said that didn’t go down well, that I love her and care for her, and that I could have handled it better. I meant every word of that, and I still do,’ he continued.
‘Jackie and I have worked together for over 25 years. She is one of the most important people in my life. The idea that our partnership could end like this is devastating to me.’
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.
Sandilands apparently blames ARN for ‘exploiting a very emotional Jackie’, with the insider saying Sandilands and Henderson both feel they have been ‘f**ked over’ by their employer
‘The truth is that ARN terminated Jackie’s contract on the same day it accused me of a breach. It suspended me from work. All of this happened while I was being told to sit quietly and say nothing. That is not a genuine process.’
While acknowledging Henderson had told him she was hurt, he insisted they had always resolved disagreements privately.
‘I am not going to pretend that everything about this situation is simple. Jackie told me she was hurt, and I accept that. But we have had disagreements before and we have always worked through them. That is what partners do. We never needed lawyers or ASX announcements to sort things out. I believe we could have sorted this out too, if ARN had given us the chance.
‘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,’ he insisted.
‘I am asking ARN to do the right thing: honour our agreement and let me get back to doing what I do best – entertaining the people who have supported this show for more than two decades.’
He concluded: ‘To my listeners: Thank you. I miss you. I’ll be back.’
