Geoff Field Opens Up on Shows Heartbreaking End

As fresh scrutiny falls on Australia's most controversial breakfast duo, new questions are being raised about long‑standing bullying allegations at The Kyle and Jackie O Show.

Veteran newsreader Geoff Field left 2DayFM's  breakfast program in 2010 after bearing the brunt of ' brutal jokes for seven years. 

In the days before his departure, Sandilands had described Field as 'closer to dumb than most people think' and 'like the stepchild you can't get rid of'.

At the time, radio executives denied there was a bullying problem.  

Now, Field has broken his silence on the crisis engulfing Sandilands, whose co-host this week walked away from her $100million contract after being subjected to a brutal on-air dressing-down.

'My late mother told me not to waste time on negativity,' he said.

'Unfortunately I didn't always take her advice.'

In a social media post, Field revealed his 'messages and texts have gone into overdrive' after ARN, the parent company of KIIS FM, pulled the plug on the show - before making clear he would not be drawn further into the unfolding fallout.

'So all I'm saying is that I will no longer allow anything that affects my mental health and happiness with [partner] Jason to live rent-free in my head,' he wrote.

'I will be making no comment today or in the future in regards to what happened today. I'm sure my friends will understand the way I feel.'

In the years after his exit, however, Field was far less diplomatic, his public statements on social media strongly suggesting a toxic environment behind the scenes.

Journalists noted the former newsreader appeared 'riled up' whenever he reflected on his experience working with Sandilands. At the time of his exit, reports had indicated he left because he was being bullied, a claim Austereo bosses denied.

In 2014, the year Kyle and Jackie O moved from 2Day FM to KIIS, Field teased a tell-all book about his former workplace which never materialised.

'Having worked in pop music radio for 16 years now - I've seen stars come and go - for some of them I'm genuinely sad – with others it's a case of getting what they deserve - karma as opposed to revenge,' Field wrote.

'WATCH THIS SPACE - 2014 will be a year of exposing the disgusting pranks that involved degrading people and the people that allowed them to prosper. My diary has things in it that will leave you GOBSMACKED.

'I have always kept a meticulous diary of events and situations that have occurred in my life. I would be a hypocrite if I didn't tell the truth.

'I'm almost free to be honest with you. Thankfully mates who are in a position to show a moral compass have also vowed to back me up when I expose the grubs.'

Last year, Field again entered the debate about Kyle and Jackie O, posting in the comments section of activist group Mad F***king Witches, which has long been campaigning to have Sandilands removed from radio.

Responding to an update encouraging advertisers to withdraw support over Sandilands' on-air comments, Field indicated he backed the campaign.

'He's 54 and she is 50,' he wrote at the time. 'Had to jump in and remind everyone! He called me a dumb old gay man when I was 45.'

He later explained that while his husband Jason had urged him to step back for the sake of his well-being, he continued to follow developments closely.

'Even though I rarely comment, I look at this page often. Well done, witches and warlocks.'

The renewed attention comes after KIIS FM parent company Australian Radio Network confirmed this week that Jackie O's $100 million contract had been terminated after she told executives she 'cannot continue to work with Mr Kyle Sandilands' following harsh on-air comments that left her in tears.

Sandilands has been suspended and given 14 days to remedy the breach or face termination.

ARN provided written notice stating it considers his behaviour during the February 20 broadcast 'an act of serious misconduct which is in breach of ARN's services agreement with Quasar Media'.

The network has offered Henderson the possibility of an alternative show, despite the pair signing a 10-year deal with ARN in 2023, leaving eight years remaining on the contract.

The last straw for Henderson was Sandilands accusing her of being unfocused at work.

During the on-air argument, Henderson broke down in tears when the pair were discussing Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

Sandilands got angry at her when she tried to read out the former royal's birth chart.

He lambasted his co-star, claiming that her love for astrology was affecting her work.

When Henderson attempted to defend herself and accused him of launching an attack on her, he stated he was only expressing the 'facts'.

An emotional Henderson said she was deeply 'offended' by his brutal criticism.

She took a leave of absence following the altercation, and had been expected to return to the show on March 2, before her exit was confirmed in an ASX announcement on Tuesday afternoon.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Henderson and Sandilands for comment.

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