Kyle and Jackie O split: Sandliands’ ex weighs in on huge on-air fight and show’s break-up

Kyle Sandilands’ ex-partner Imogen Anthony has shared her perspective on the radio star’s shock split from Jackie O.

“Kyle often says the wrong thing. I spent 8 years with this man, but I also understand Jackie being an outspoken Aquarian,” Anthony wrote on her Instagram story.

The 35-year-old went on to urge both Sandilands and Jackie O to “snap the f... out of it” and suggested that reconciliation might still be possible.

Jackie O announced on Tuesday evening that she will not return to the Kyle and Jackie O Show, just 11 days after an uncomfortable on-air confrontation in which Sandilands accused her of being “unfocused” and overly interested in astrology and horoscopes.

ARN, the pair’s employer, has sided with Jackie O, describing Sandilands’ behaviour as “serious misconduct” and warning he must rectify the breach within 14 days.

The pair were three years into a $100 million, 10-year contract with ARN.

Anthony highlighted Sandilands’ ongoing support of her animal sanctuary as evidence of his good character: “With everyone hoping that Kyle gets cancelled, this man also still helps me look after over 100 rescued animals,” she wrote, referring to her Crimson Peak Animal Sanctuary in the NSW Southern Highlands.

“I also have seen how much he has taken Jackie along every step of the way and ensured that she was treated fairly. I’m upset for both of them to be completely honest and hope they can just snap the f**k out of it,” she added.

“Then again, the wellbeing of my animals is my top priority. And for those who have followed me, know how much they mean to me and still mean to him. So when you’re wishing ill upon someone today, remember who you’re also choosing ill upon...” Anthony concluded.

Sandilands and Anthony were together from 2012 to 2019. He later married Tegan Kynaston in 2023, eight months after she gave birth to their son Otto.

Now three years into a $100 million, 10-year contract with ARN, Sandilands’ career is under scrutiny.

On Wednesday morning KIIS FM addressed the dramatic collapse of the show, which has dominated Sydney’s FM breakfast ratings for decades.

Fill-in host Kent ‘Smallzy’ Small opened by reading a prepared statement to listeners.

“This is not how I expected to be here on a Wednesday morning. I’ve got a statement that I’ve been asked to read before we start this morning.”

Addressing the audience directly, Smallzy said: “So for our KIIS listeners, we’ve got some important news for you. Jackie has given notice that she can no longer continue to work on the show with Kyle in the morning. As such, Jackie has now officially left the show.

“Kyle has been given 14 days to remedy a serious breach of contract in respect of the show. He’ll not be on air during this time. If that does not happen, that contract will be terminated. That’s what I have been told and asked to read you. You’ve officially heard it from us.”

“There’s a saying in showbiz that the show must go on. You’re all back to work today. You’re waking up living your life. My name is Smallzy. I am not here to replace either of them. I am just going to get us through what is as a – I love radio and as someone who has grown up listening to the Kyle & Jackie O show, it is as much a shock to me as it would be to you hearing it. But it is Wednesday morning and it is a new day, so let’s go.”

Kyle and Jackie O on-air fight

During the Friday, February 20 episode, the pair were discussing the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in the UK.

“I’m going to do that fixed star astrology chart on him, and see what it says,” Henderson said.

“Your fixation on this has made you almost unworkable...you were off with the fairies,” Sandilands said later on, referencing her looking up the former prince’s horoscope and starting the seven-minute argument on-air.

She said he was being unfair, and he continued on to say she was “not doing the rest of the job, and everyone in the building has mentioned it to me”. Henderson didn’t return to work.

In 2024, Henderson, pictured left last week, revealed that she had taken time off in 2022 to deal with addiction issues. She said she went to California for a secret 28-day stint for addiction to pills and alcohol.

Henderson was reduced to tears during the segment, telling her longtime co-host she could not believe he would deliver that feedback in front of thousands of listeners.

Last week, Sandilands addressed the situation which saw Henderson take more than a week off, conceding he regretted the way he handled the criticism.

“I obviously upset her and maybe in hindsight I shouldn’t have said it on the air, but we say a lot of things on the air here,” he said.

“It’s never meant to hurt her feelings and obviously it did, and I regret hurting her feelings. No one wants to hurt someone, especially someone you care for.”

Sandilands, who is also a judge on Australian Idol, also confirmed the dispute hadn’t been staged for publicity.