Kyle & Jackie O Show fans have been left divided after ARN, the owners of KIIS FM, announced Jackie ‘O’ Henderson would be leaving the program after an on-air incident with Kyle Sandilands on February 20.
Listeners shared their feelings on Henderson’s Instagram page after yesterday’s shock announcement, made in the form of a Market Announcement to ARN Media Limited shareholders.
They said they felt “ripped off” and “disappointed” the host hadn’t released her own statement, writing in the comments section of her most recent post on December 11, which showed her attending the ICAP Charity Day.
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“I know this isn’t a post about what’s going on with you and Kyle, but I actually feel ripped off as a fan of you both for over 20 years,” one fan commented.
“For you not to come back and tell us you’re leaving is very disappointing.”
They later added, in a comment that received 60 ‘likes’, “I just feel like we should have heard it from her as she has shared her whole life with us. It’s MY opinion.”
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“I agree. She let the listeners down who have been loyal from the start,” another said.
“While I am on Jackie’s side, this announcement should be coming from her. It’s about time someone took a stand against Kyle.
“The way he speaks to the staff on the show is horrible. I’m surprised this has not happened sooner.”
Others defended the move.
“She was just relentlessly ripped apart and embarrassed by someone she has worked with for years, on air, for everyone to hear,” one wrote.
“Give her some space. She owes you nothing right now.”
“Completely agree, disappointing,” one listener responded.
Another of Henderson’s followers said, “He told her she’s not doing her job and ‘everyone in the building has mentioned it’. It is inappropriate and humiliating given the way it was brought up.
“Why would she owe you anything? Ffs,” added another.
However, the comments from fans expressing they felt hurt continued.
“Agreed. So disappointing she would just leave us all hanging like this. I feel like she has just thrown us all in the trash.”
Her defenders were equally dedicated, with one saying: “Sending love to you! Proud of your decision. He was so out of line. Time to shine on your own queen.”
Representatives for Henderson have been contacted for comment.
KIIS listeners woke up this morning to hear Kent ‘Smallzy’ Small presenting the breakfast show. Small had recently been poached from rival network Nova, where he hosted the number one nights show for 23 years.
Some fans of the Kyle & Jackie O Show have taken to the show’s official Instagram page to reveal their devastation at its demise as they grapple with the sudden change.
“My heart is broken! I am soooo devo!!!” one commented on the account’s most recent post featuring Australian Eurovision entrant Delta Goodrem.
“My heart for the whole team,” another added.
One listener commented: “I feel so much for the team the producers and Brooklyn especially.”
Kyle & Jackie O staff reportedly learned the show was over via ARN’s Market Announcement and subsequent media reports.
“What am i going to listen to now in the mornings,” added another.
“Literally!!! I’m shattered. I loved them,” added another fan.
Fans also showed their support to Henderson via her Instagram account following the on-air incident that prompted her to take a break from the show.
“Hey Jackie!! I hope you’re doing ok,” one said.
Jackie O’ Henderson’s career in photos
“As someone who loves Astrology and hates Trump and take issue with anyone that defends him, I’m having a hard time listening to Kyle these days. Which saddens me because I’ve been around since the Hot 30 days.
“The way he treated you on Friday was horrific and I’m realising I might be outgrowing him. I’ll never stop listening to you guys though because I love you and when he’s being a decent human, I love him too.”
“Jackio! We love and miss you on the air but so proud of you for standing on business good on you!!” another said.
“I really hope you do your own show you have so much to offer Australia we love your work you’re so funny and interesting on your own.”
Another said: “Well done Jackie! You’re setting a great example for your daughter.”
ARN Media’s bombshell statement, released on Tuesday evening, read: “Ms Jacqueline Henderson has given notice that she ‘cannot continue to work with Mr Kyle Sandilands.
“Accordingly, ARN has terminated the services agreement with Henderson Media Pty Ltd, under which Ms Henderson presents the Kyle and Jackie O Show. Ms Henderson will cease to present the Kyle and Jackie O Show.
“ARN has also offered to Ms Henderson the possibility of an alternative show on the ARN network.
“ARN has also provided written notice to Mr Kyle Sandilands and Quasar Media Services Pty Ltd (Quasar Media) stating that it considers that Mr Sandilands’ behaviour during the show on 20 February 2026 is an act of serious misconduct which is in breach of ARN’s services agreement with Quasar Media, under which Mr Sandilands presents the Kyle and Jackie O Show.
“Mr Sandilands has been given 14 days to remedy this breach. If it is not remedied, ARN will terminate the services agreement with Quasar Media, and in that event Mr Sandilands will cease to present the Kyle and Jackie O Show.
“During the 14 day period, Mr Sandilands will not take part in the show.
“The KIIS breakfast show will be taken off-air effective immediately, with interim arrangements made for the show.”
The statement came as a shock to fans of the Kyle & Jackie Show after Sandilands reassured listeners several times that Henderson would be returning on the show.
As recently as Tuesday morning, Sandilands said he had “signed off” on a statement coming from Henderson’s camp pending her return to the show.
Henderson’s departure from the Kyle & Jackie O Show comes weeks after she announced the end of her involvement in her joint venture with best friend and manager Gemma O’Neill, a organisation called Besties.
Besties hosted an event at the end of 2024 with Gwyneth Paltrow following their launch, and Henderson and O’Neill had co-hosted a podcast called Her Best Life.
It was during the first episode of 2026 that Henderson announced she would be leaving the podcast.
“Well, we have a little bit of an announcement,” the pair said in unison before the broadcaster explained her departure.
Henderson said the decision to “step away from our beautiful venture” has been part of a “big shift that has happened with me”, in reference to the inner work and self-examination she has been doing of late.
“It does sadden me in many ways, because I have loved and gotten so much out of what we have done together and shared together here, moreso because we are able to share that with a community of people,” she told O’Neill and listeners.
“We get to talk about all the things that we have learnt and are passionate about and it’s been so fulfilling on many levels, and obviously being able to work with you, my best friend, has been so amazing.”
Henderson said she chose to step away due to a sentiment she began to share in one of the pair’s final episodes in 2025 – that she didn’t feel she could do the podcast because she “wanted to protect a fair bit of [her] private life”.
“You were sharing so much and being so generous, and I felt like I was holding back on everything because I didn’t feel like I wanted to share it. It didn’t feel right for me at that time,” she told O’Neill.
“We’ve spoken about a lot of subjects and topics that we’ve learnt about, and I think it was just getting to a point where I feel like I’d done that and it had been fulfilling but I felt like I was coming to the end of the road with it.”
O’Neill will continue to run Besties and host the podcast with revolving co-hosts.
The pair teased that Henderson may be back as a guest on the podcast sometime in the future.
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