Kyle & Jackie O weigh in on ABC radio star’s shocking sexually charged comment about his female co-host live on air – as they point out wild detail that was missed during exchange

Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O Henderson have weighed in on ABC radio host Robert ‘Bob’ Murphy’s shocking sexually charged on-air comment on Wednesday.

The former Western Bulldogs star, 42, shocked listeners when he made a bizarre reference to an iconic Melbourne strip club, directed at female co-host Sharnelle Vella.

Kyle, 53, and Jackie, 50, offered their take on air on Thursday, admitting they weren’t sure what all the fuss was about.   

‘I think he was trying to make the point she worked really hard for her living, and didn’t use her body online like only fans or stripping,’ Kyle said.

‘I don’t think it was a big deal. Do you find it offensive?’ he asked his co-star.

Jackie agreed with Kyle adding that the comment seemed particularly out of place as it aired on the ABC.

Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O Henderson have weighed in on ABC radio host Robert ‘Bob’ Murphy’s shocking sexually charged on-air comment on Wednesday

‘I get it, he was making a joke. But I think they are held to a different standard and people don’t expect comments like that,’ she said.

‘On the ABC it’s probably really jarring for their audience.’ 

The radio queen added that while she wouldn’t be offended by the comment personally, she could not vouch for other women.

‘If someone said that to me I’m not going to be offended by it but I’m not her and I can’t speak for her,’ Jackie said.

Newsreader Brooklyn Ross pointed out that a gasp could be heard on-air following Bob’s off-colour comment and the radio duo, going to the audio for clarification, confirmed that audible shock could be heard.

On Wednesday, Murphy and Vella had been discussing the subject of the importance of seeking financial and tax advice from registered professionals instead of using information from social media influencers online.

They welcomed Elinor Kasapidis, Chief of Policy, Standards & External Affairs at CPA Australia, onto the show to speak about the matter. 

After a lengthy discussion on the topic, Vella began to make a point about how some people may be unable to afford professional financial advice and may look to social media for guidance on filing tax returns on their own.

The former Western Bulldogs star, 42, shocked listeners when he made a bizarre reference to an iconic Melbourne strip club, directed at female co-host Sharnelle Vella, both pictured

‘I think he was trying to make the point she worked really hard for her living, and didn’t use her body online like only fans or stripping,’ Kyle said in response to the controversy on Thursday

She began by referring to when she landed her first job out of high school.

Vella said: ‘I remember when I worked in retail many moons ago when I was still in high school…’

But Murphy quickly interjected, saying: ‘Not at Spearmint Rhino?’

Vella flatly responded by saying: ‘No’, before pausing and then continuing with her point. ‘I couldn’t afford to go to a financial adviser, so I was doing my tax return myself.

‘I guess that’s why people are looking on social media,’ she added, before asking Kasapidis on whether she had any good advice for people looking to do their tax on their own.

Spearmint Rhino is a strip club chain who have venues located in Australia, the United Kingdom and the US.

There is no claim by Daily Mail Australia that Vella has ever worked in a strip club and it is understood that Murphy’s comments were meant as a joke.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted ABC for comment.

‘I get it he was making a joke, but I think they are held to a different standard and people don’t expect comments like that,’ Jackie added. ‘On the ABC it’s probably really jarring for their audience.’

On Wednesday, Murphy and Vella had been discussing the subject of the importance of seeking financial and tax advice from registered professionals instead of using information from social media influencers online

Vella made a reference to when she landed her first job out of high school. She said: ‘I remember when I worked in retail many moons ago when I was still in high school…’

Murphy, a highly respected footy player and a two-time All-Australian, has had a bumpy start to the year in his new role, after the breakfast show’s ratings dipped from 7.9 per cent to 6.3 per cent market share in March.

Earlier this year, the 42-year-old former AFL star was criticised by rival radio presenter, Tom Elliott, for being ‘woke’ after he used the term ‘AFLM’ to describe the men’s top-flight Australian rules football competition.

‘Does anybody else honestly want to call the AFL the AFLM?,’ Elliott said on 3AW Mornings.

‘In America, you have the NBA and then the WNBA, that works fine.

‘I think he [Murphy] is the only person who does this. He persists in calling the AFL the AFLM….that is wokeness.’

Murphy, who retired in 2017 after making 312 appearances for the Western Bulldogs, was also understood to have slept through the beginning of his Friday, April 11th, breakfast radio show, leaving Vella without her co-host.

His alarm had not gone off and he missed his 5:30am live start, turning up to the studio 45 minutes late.

‘Good morning Melbourne, well it does say Sharnelle Vella and Bob Murphy, but it is just me this morning, on my own,’ Sharnelle told listeners when the show began.

But Murphy quickly interjected, saying: ‘Not at Spearmint Rhino?’ Vella flatly responded, referring to a strip club chain WITH venues located in Australia, the UK and the US

‘People are texting about where Bob is. He will be here shortly, no one panic.’

When Bob did turn up, he revealed what had happened live on air.

‘Somehow, overnight the phone charger must have dislodged a bit. My darling jumped out and said, “It is 5:30am.”‘

The former Western Bulldogs star then apologised to listeners: ‘I feel like I have let you down. I suppose it had to happen.’

Vella, though, poked fun at her co-host, joking: ‘I’m off to the shops to buy him a charger.’