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As the clock ticks down on Kyle Sandilands’ two-week suspension from radio, anticipation builds around his future at KIIS FM. With only hours remaining before the midnight deadline, Sandilands finds himself at a crossroads, his next move uncertain.
On Tuesday, Sandilands, known for his provocative presence on air, stepped out of his Vaucluse residence to face the media before heading to his Australian Idol filming commitments. Despite the looming deadline, he offered only a brief statement, leaving many questions unanswered.
Speaking to reporters, Sandilands expressed his desire to resume his role on The Kyle and Jackie O Show. However, he acknowledged that his fate still hangs in the balance, with ARN yet to make a final decision regarding his contract.
Maintaining a positive demeanor, Sandilands remarked that he felt “good” but conceded that no agreements had been reached regarding his future at the network. “I obviously can’t say too much because I haven’t heard anything yet,” he added, underscoring the uncertainty of the situation.
‘I obviously can’t say too much because I haven’t heard anything yet,’ Kyle said.
‘I still want to do this show. The listeners want me back on there doing the show. So at the end of the day, I’ve got a contract with ARN, I expect them to honour that. And I do have some options.’
Kyle Sandilands (pictured) has just hours before he reaches the deadline for his two-week radio suspension
On Tuesday, the shock jock gave a statement outside his Vaucluse home as he made his way to filming duties on Australian Idol
After insisting he felt ‘good’, the radio king admitted that nothing has been decided with regard to his ongoing contract at the network
When asked what those options are, Kyle, who was accompanied by his manager Bruno Bouchet, replied: ‘No idea yet. Many options.’
Sandilands was then asked if rumours that he plans to buy ARN are true.
‘There’s many options, that is all I am going to say. I can’t predict anything. Still waiting,’ he replied cryptically.
Kyle would not be drawn on questions about whether or not he has yet spoken to former co-host Jackie ‘O’ Henderson, simply ignoring the queries before hurriedly leaving the premises.
The Australian Radio Network (ARN) announced last month that Jackie ‘O’ 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.
ARN also provided written notice to Sandilands stating 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 face termination. That deadline is believed to end at midnight on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, just prior to Sandilands’ appearance, Henderson was spotted looking very downcast in Bondi.
Kyle would not be drawn on questions about whether or not he has yet spoken to former co-host Jackie ‘O’ Henderson, simply ignoring the queries before hurriedly leaving the premises
Kyle Sandilands manager Bruno Bouchet (pictured) as seen outside Kyle’s house prior to the statement being made
Meanwhile, just prior to Sandilands’ appearance, Henderson (pictured) was spotted looking very downcast in Bondi
Henderson, 50, looked forlorn as she took herself off for some much-needed ‘me time’ at a local nail salon.
She looked casual in a figure-hugging blue top that she tucked into a pair of loose-fitting cargo pants.
Henderson finished her look with a pair of black Ray-Ban sunglasses and a pair of strappy brown sandals.
Carrying a small takeaway coffee, Henderson looked stressed as she made her way to the pamper appointment.
Meanwhile, Sandilands 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.
Last Tuesday, Sandilands released his own statement, claiming he has been ‘muzzled’ by ARN, and barred from contacting Henderson or speaking with colleagues.
‘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.
‘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.’
Henderson, 50, looked forlorn as she took herself off for some much-needed ‘me time’ at a local nail salon
Carrying a small takeaway coffee, Henderson looked stressed as she made her way to the pamper appointment
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.’
With his career future in the balance, Sandilands set tongues wagging after taking a very intriguing meeting over the weekend.
He met with Stu Laundy, whose billionaire father Arthur Laundy recently bought Nine Entertainment’s radio assets, including 2GB in Sydney, 3AW in Melbourne, 4BC in Brisbane and 6PR in Perth.
Adding further intrigue to the catch-up, which was held at Sandilands’ McMahons Point offices, the radio king was accompanied by his manager, Bruno Bouchet.
Briefly addressing waiting media, Kyle confirmed that he wanted to continue work on The Kyle and Jackie O Show, but admitted that his future at KIIS FM still hangs in the balance, with the midnight deadline for a decision from ARN looming
‘I still want to do this show. The listeners want me back on there doing the show. So at the end of the day, I’ve got a contract with ARN, I expect them to honour that. And I do have some options,’ he said
When asked what those options are, Kyle, who was accompanied by his manager Bruno Bouchet, replied: ‘No idea yet. Many options’
Laundy, who was carrying a notepad as he shook Sandilands’ hand, downplayed his attendance at the mystery chat by claiming that it was related to his NRL interests.
‘I am just trying to get him into the Bulldogs family fold, I still think he has some playing years ahead of him,’ Laundy told the Daily Telegraph.
The meeting has led to whispers that Sandilands is eyeing a future on radio outside of the ARN family.
Henderson and Sandilands were delivered another blow this week that could threaten the likelihood of a comeback.
On Monday, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) slapped ARN with new licence conditions, set to govern any show featuring Kyle or Jackie for the next five years.
The conditions stipulate that KIIS FM’s parent company ARN must ensure that any program hosted by the pair ‘does not broadcast content which is highly offensive or which contains strong and explicit sexual references by the standards of an ordinary reasonable listener.’
Failure to meet these conditions could result in ACMA slapping ARN with financial penalties, including ‘court‑enforceable’ undertakings, remedial directions, civil penalties, or suspension or cancellation of the broadcasting licence.’