A radio insider has revealed that the team behind The Kyle and Jackie O Show saw big trouble coming long before the KIIS FM breakfast program was axed last month.
Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail, the source said producers at the station observed a marked change in Jackie ‘O’ Henderson months before her dramatic on-air blow-up with former co-host Kyle Sandilands in February over her fixation on astrology.
Henderson raised eyebrows among staffers when she started to introduce ‘personal growth’ style content into the show, which is best known for its provocative style and controversial stunts – a move that became a source of irritation for Sandilands.
The insider said Henderson was influenced by her Her Best Life podcast, which she co-hosted with her ‘bestie’ and manager Gemma O’Neill.
Launched in September 2024, five months after The Kyle and Jackie O Show attempted to break into the Melbourne market, the podcast featured discussions about wellness trends like ‘sound baths’ and horoscopes.
The insider said that while O’Neill may not have ‘micromanaged’ Henderson, she likely encouraged her client to introduce her niche interests into her high-rating show.
A radio insider has revealed that the team behind The Kyle and Jackie O Show saw big trouble coming long before the KIIS FM Breakfast show was axed last month
Henderson raised eyebrows among staffers when she started to introduce ‘personal growth’ style content into the show – a move that became a source of irritation for Sandilands. Henderson, says the insider, was influenced by her Her Best Life podcast, which she co-hosted with her ‘bestie’ and manager Gemma O’Neill
‘In my personal opinion, there may have been a crossover in content of bringing [their podcast] content into the Kyle and Jackie O Show,’ they said.
‘Jackie really felt like she could talk about [star signs and sound baths] when it doesn’t really resonate with a [tradie] on a job site.’
They said that Henderson’s more serious on-air style and attitude behind the scenes became apparent in the last six months.
‘It was clear that Jackie was a little more distracted by something else. I don’t know exactly what that was,’ they said.
‘I think that’s where Kyle’s frustration really stemmed from as well. You know, you’re trying to have a conversation with someone who’s like just going, “yep,” and not really fully engaging, not really being fully present.’
Interestingly, O’Neill, who named her events company ‘Besties’ after her friendship with Henderson, was hardly ever seen inside the KIIS FM’s North Sydney studio, unlike Sandilands’ ever-present manager Bruno Bouchet, who was also an executive producer on The Kyle and Jackie O Show.
The source also confirmed speculation that Henderson was thinking of ‘getting out’ of radio, only weeks after she signed her milestone $200 million ten-year deal for The Kyle and Jackie O Show in 2023.
‘[The staffers] had seen both of them walk out before,’ the source said.
They said that Henderson’s more serious on-air style and attitude behind the scenes became apparent in the last six months. Pictured: Henderson and Sandilands with members of The Kyle and Jackie O Show team
‘One has walked out on the other many, many times before. But they always come back.
‘There were jokes like “mummy and daddy are fighting again.”
‘Everyone expected them to kiss and make up and keep going.’
Henderson’s on-air exit on Friday, 20 February was the beginning of the end for one of Australia’s most enduring radio teams.
KIIS FM owners ARN then announced that Henderson had told them that she ‘could not continue to work with Mr Kyle Sandilands’, after their now notorious argument was broadcast during The Kyle and Jackie O Show.
The split led to ARN terminating Henderson, before ripping up Sandilands’ contract two weeks later.
Meanwhile, ARN is reeling from a devastating financial and legal double hit, with its market value now hovering dangerously close to the $100 million mark after Sandilands and Henderson launched lawsuits against ARN last month.
Henderson’s on-air exit on Friday, 20 February was the beginning of the end for one of Australia’s most enduring radio teams
Once a dominant force in Australian radio, the KIIS 106.5 parent company has seen its valuation plummet to between roughly $100 million – $110 million as of late March 2026.
At one point last week, ARN’s value dipped even lower, briefly hitting around $98.5 million. The lawsuits themselves are nothing short of explosive.
Sandilands is already pursuing a claim believed to be worth up to $85 million, while Henderson has now launched her own legal action alleging adverse action and breach of contract.
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