‘Abusive relationship’: Jackie O’s claim against Kyle
According to court documents, Jackie “O” Henderson complained about host Kyle Sandilands for months before the latest on-air raid.
In her statement of claim lodged in the Federal Court, the broadcast star did not say that her $100 million, 10-year contract with radio giant ARN should not have led to her being sacked simply because she refused to work with Sandilands.
On February 20, the pair clashed on KIIS FM’s Kyle and Jackie O Show after Sandilands accused her co-host of “being with fairies”.
But Henderson claimed in court documents that he repeatedly complained to station management about Sandilands’ comments over nearly six months.
He said in August 2025 Sandilands “made offensive and derogatory comments on air”.
The documents allege Sandilands said some of Henderson’s comments were “bizarre, psychological nonsense” and that his belief in “deceptive words” had negatively affected his dating life.
Sandilands also mentioned her “period,” according to the documents.
Henderson claimed that she had left the show temporarily and spoke to station head Derek Bargwanna and executive producer Natalie Penfold as a result.
A month later it was alleged that the two clashed again and the words Sandilands used were censored by the station.
A day after the row, Henderson claimed he asked Mr Bargwanna to raise issues about Sandilands’ behavior with ARN chairman Hamish McLennan.
The charging document said Henderson received numerous complaints from listeners that Sandilands was engaged in an “abusive relationship.”
Mr Bargwanna said he had escalated the matter to ARN management.
When the two clashed for the last time in February, Henderson claimed his employer did nothing to intervene, even though he was visibly and audibly upset.
He said Sandilands swore at him on four separate occasions in his tirade and questioned his ability to do his job, which left him hurt and offended.
Henderson informed the ARN on 26 February that he could no longer work with Sandilands and that the company had breached its obligation to provide a safe workplace.
He claimed that despite repeated warnings, the company did nothing to minimize the risk to his health.
The company’s lawyers wrote a letter to Henderson on March 3, saying his complaint amounted to a breach of his contract, according to the documents.
However, Henderson claimed that the contract did not specify that it should be presented to Sandilands.
“It was an express term of the agreement that the ‘program services’ could be provided on a live broadcast radio program not featuring Mr. Sandilands,” the document said.
Henderson claims he is owed at least $82.25 million in unpaid wages due to the alleged wrongful termination of his contract.
He and Sandilands signed contracts worth $100 million over 10 years in October 2023.
Henderson also said he was denied the opportunity to receive a share of the station’s revenue as stipulated in his contract.
The problem for the radio giant comes as it fights a separate court battle with the other half of the presenting partnership.
Sandilands was sacked by the company for “serious misconduct” during the February 20 clash, but the shock jock denies the allegation.
He also wants to be paid the remainder of his $100 million contract.
Henderson and ARN’s first case management hearing will be held in the Federal Court on April 24.
Australia’s Associated Press is the beating heart of Australian news. AAP is Australia’s only independent national news channel and has been providing accurate, reliable and fast-paced news content to the media industry, government and corporate sector for 85 years. We inform Australia.
