Jackie ‘O’ Henderson has broken her silence on former co-host Kyle Sandilands‘ new media venture, as fresh claims emerge she could quietly discourage some of her celebrity friends from appearing on the program following their bitter fallout.
Henderson, who is gearing up for her blockbuster court case against ARN, spoke to a photographer on Friday, hours after her former co-host confirmed he will be launching his own subscription-based podcast, Kyle Sandilands Live.
When asked whether she planned to listen to Sandilands’ new show, a smiling Henderson shrugged and replied: ‘Oh, I don’t know. I don’t know anything about it.’
Henderson also laughed when asked whether she was going to do her own show like Sandilands.
‘No, I just want to get through this year,’ she said, referring to her upcoming court battle which kicks off in October.
But while her public response was understated, industry insiders say a more complicated dynamic is unfolding behind the scenes.
Jackie ‘O’ Henderson has broken her silence on former co-host Kyle Sandilands’ new media venture, as fresh claims emerge she could quietly discourage some of her celebrity friends from appearing on the program following their bitter fallout
Henderson, who is gearing up for her blockbuster court case against ARN, spoke to a photographer on Friday, hours after her former co-host confirmed he will be launching his own subscription-based podcast, Kyle Sandilands Live
According to multiple industry sources, many of the high-profile names who regularly appeared on the show over the years were far closer to Henderson than they ever were to Sandilands himself.
‘Kyle isn’t socialising in his own time. He is hardly sipping expensive wines, dining at fancy restaurants and bonding over sport or seen at social events,’ confirms a close source.
‘Networking is hardly his forte.’
And while the radio king’s return is expected to dominate headlines, those behind the scenes aren’t convinced the celebrity support network that helped fuel the show’s success will automatically return with him.
‘Most people assume they were Kyle’s friends,’ one insider tells Daily Mail Australia.
‘But the reality is a lot of those relationships belonged to Jackie.’
Sources claim that throughout Sandilands’ absence, many of the show’s celebrity contacts have maintained communication with Henderson while having little or no direct contact with Sandilands.
‘A lot of people have checked in on Jackie,’ says another source.
When asked whether she planned to listen to Sandilands’ new show, a smiling Henderson shrugged and replied: ‘Oh, I don’t know. I don’t know anything about it’
But while her public response was understated, industry insiders say a more complicated dynamic is unfolding behind the scenes
‘Behind closed doors, there hasn’t been the same level of concern or support directed towards Kyle. That has surprised some people internally.’
The dynamic has reportedly become increasingly apparent as producers continue exploring the future direction of the long-running radio juggernaut.
Several well-known names have already been floated as potential contributors and guest stars should the show enter a new chapter, but insiders suggest not everyone is eager to sign up.
One name frequently mentioned is TV favourite Sophie Monk.
However, sources claim Henderson has privately expressed reservations about encouraging some of her celebrity friends to become more heavily involved.
‘Jackie is protective of her friendships,’ an insider alleges.
‘She has been quite vocal about why some of her close friends should think carefully before jumping into the mix.’
While no decisions have been made about future contributors, the comments are said to reflect broader concerns about the scrutiny and pressure that come with being linked to one of Australia’s most talked-about radio brands.
According to multiple industry sources, many of the high-profile names who regularly appeared on the show over the years were far closer to Henderson than they ever were to Sandilands himself
While the radio king’s return is expected to dominate headlines, those behind the scenes aren’t convinced the celebrity support network that helped fuel the show’s success will automatically return with him.
Despite the speculation, those close to the program insist Sandilands remains committed to rebuilding momentum and eventually returning to his former radio glory.
But industry observers say the challenge isn’t simply getting Sandilands back behind the microphone.
‘Kyle can come back tomorrow. The bigger question is whether all the people who once orbited the show will come back with him,’ a source said.
Further, the source claimed Henderson was waiting for Sandilands to come to an agreement with ARN before negotiating her settlement.
‘But it’s fair to say that any form of reunion is not on the cards,’ the insider added.
It comes after Sandilands lifted the lid on his new subscription-style show during an interview with the Game Changers podcast on Friday.
‘It’ll be like it was that last week when Jackie wasn’t on the show. We’ll still have the different stories, but you’ll probably hear more of the ensemble cast, no ads, no censorship, but we’ll still be playing songs, and you’ll be able to watch it,’ he said.
‘It will be a visual, video clip, song, ‘back to us in the studio’ like the Today show type of thing. Hopefully a bit slicker.’
‘Kyle can come back tomorrow. The bigger question is whether all the people who once orbited the show will come back with him,’ a source said
Sandilands settled his legal battle with his former employer ARN this week.
It was initially reported that Sandilands would be paid just $5 million a year for the next three years.
However, on Wednesday morning a statement confirmed ARN had actually agreed to pay Sandilands $12.09 million.
The total payout is a fraction of the sum Sandilands was demanding, with the radio star previously indicating he was owed as much as $85 million for the remainder of his massive contract term.
Sandilands and ARN have agreed to a revenue-sharing agreement, with ARN paying $1.5 million in advertising over the next three years.
ARN will hold a 19.9 per cent share of Sandilands’s earnings in return.
Sandilands is also prevented from dealing with any of ARN’s direct competitors for nine months.
Meanwhile, Henderson is suing ARN for wrongful termination, alleging that her dismissal was against the Fair Work Act.
Meanwhile, Henderson is suing ARN for wrongful termination, alleging that her dismissal was against the Fair Work Act. At the centre of the dispute is ARN’s claim that Henderson herself initiated the end of the Kyle and Jackie O Show after raising ‘psychosocial health and safety and bullying complaints’ about Sandilands
At the centre of the dispute is ARN’s claim that Henderson herself initiated the end of the Kyle and Jackie O Show after raising ‘psychosocial health and safety and bullying complaints’ about Sandilands.
Henderson has rejected this, insisting she did not resign despite ARN previously stating she had given notice she could no longer work with her co-host.
The two sides also remain at odds over whether an alternative program was ever offered to Henderson, a claim her legal team denies.
Former radio boss James Cridland weighed in on the matter during an appearance on the Today show on Thursday, claiming he believes Henderson may settle.
‘I mean Jackie will be looking at Kyle’s settlement and thinking, ‘Well, you know, there is an opportunity there that means that I don’t have to go through court’,’ he said.
‘I mean, nobody really wants to go through court.’
Cridland said Henderson may reach a different kind of settlement to that of Sandilands, however.
‘I’m not sure that Jackie was done particularly well by, so it will be fascinating to see what happens there,’ he added.
Henderson is set to appear in court in August for a hearing, while the trial will begin in October.
The fallout between Sandilands and Henderson exploded publicly in February 2026 after an on-air argument during The Kyle and Jackie O Show on KIIS FM.
During a live broadcast on February 20, Sandilands allegedly berated Henderson over her interest in horoscopes and wellness topics, calling her ‘off with the fairies’ and ‘almost unworkable’. Henderson reportedly viewed the comments as a personal attack.
After the clash, Henderson stopped appearing on the show and ARN suspended Sandilands, accusing him of ‘serious misconduct’.
ARN then terminated both stars’ massive long-term contracts, reportedly worth around $100 million each over 10 years.
The network claimed Henderson had indicated she could no longer work with Sandilands, though she later disputed aspects of ARN’s version of events.
Henderson later filed court documents alleging she had complained internally for months about Sandilands’ behaviour and described aspects of the working relationship as emotionally damaging.
