Jackie leaves Kyle and Jackie O radio show: Former colleague Mitch Churi shares his response
A former colleague of Jackie ‘O’ Henderson says she is “realising what she needs” amid the fallout of her departure from her radio show.
Mitch Churi, who started his career in radio on the Kyle and Jackie O Show, working alongside the duo as part of his 10 years at KIIS, said he had spoken to Henderson since the news of her exit broke last week.
On the latest episode of The Mitch Churi Chat Show, the radio producer-turned-podcast host said he is happy she is putting her “wants and needs” first.
“She’s been through a lot of s–t, and she’s realised some things,” Churi told listeners.
“She’s one of those people who, for her whole life, has put her wants and needs and desires behind many other people’s, so I’m happy that she’s in this position.
“I did speak to her, and I’m happy she’s realised those things.”
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Churi worked at KIIS for years before being made redundant by the network, and said the $200 million deal signing Henderson and Sandilands to KIIS led to some employees being let go.
“I was told the reason I was let go was because of the financial strain on the company, thanks to the new deal,” he said.
“It did siphon a lot of support for anyone else; it did stifle a lot of shows.”
Churi added that he was “really sad” the radio network doesn’t have any other hosts the KIIS audience “knows and loves”.
“I do wonder how ARN is feeling not having a succession plan, because they don’t have any fresh talent,” he said.
“I get a lot of people asking me, ‘Would you go back?’ … I’m more saddened that there is no one that the KIIS audience knows and loves at that network anymore to slot in during that time.”
What started as an on-air clash with Sandilands over astrology on February 20 led to Henderson’s departure from The Kyle and Jackie O Show.
A statement from ARN, which owns KIIS FM, said Henderson had told the network she could no longer work with her long-time co-host.
Sandilands was suspended for two weeks over his behaviour, which ARN labelled “an act of serious misconduct” and a breach of contract.
“Ms Jacqueline Henderson has given notice that she ‘cannot continue to work with Mr Kyle Sandilands’,” ARN said in a statement issued on Tuesday last week.
It added the show would be taken off-air immediately, while Sandilands had “14 days to remedy this breach” otherwise his contract will be terminated.
However, days after ARN announced Henderson would not return to the show, she released a statement of her own stressing that she “did not quit.”
”Over the past few days, there has been a lot of speculation and misinformation about my departure from the show,” she said in the statement to nine.com.au, released by her manager Gemma O’Neill.
“I want to make one important point very clear: I did not quit or resign.
“I am deeply saddened by the events of the past week and the possibility of the show ending. This has come as a shock to me, as it has to everyone else.
“It has been truly heartbreaking to see how this has unfolded. At this stage, I am unable to say anything further, as I am addressing this through the appropriate legal channels.
“Thank you to everyone who has sent kind messages of support during what has been an incredibly challenging time.”
Media expert Tim Burrowes, who labelled the pair “arguably Australia’s most famous and possibly most successful radio show of all time”, said news of them hanging up their headphones after a 25-year partnership sent shockwaves through the entire industry.
The Age‘s special correspondent Stephen Brook agreed, calling it “the biggest, most consequential bust-up in Australian media – ever”.
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