Intern Petes Shocking Career Move Amid KIIS Chaos

Peter Deppeler – known to Australian radio fans as 'Intern Pete' – has announced he is leaving KIIS FM to join Christian O'Connell's Gold FM breakfast show.

The move comes after more than 12 years on The Kyle and Jackie O Show. 

In his new role, Pete will serve as both a roving reporter and senior producer on The Christian O'Connell Show – now Australia's first national commercial breakfast radio program, broadcasting across , , , and .

Pete says the opportunity emerged organically during what has been a turbulent period at KIIS FM.

'I've known Christian for years,' Pete told news.com.au.

'The last couple of months (at KIIS FM) have been a bit crazy, and he (Christian) touched base and said 'G'day'. We started chatting and maybe a month or so ago he broached the idea of 'would you be interested in perhaps joining the show?'

For Pete, it was an easy decision.

In his own statement, he described O'Connell as someone he had long admired – going back to his broadcasting days in the UK – and said he was thrilled to be joining the team across Australia.

Despite spending more than a decade alongside Kyle Sandilands and Jackie Henderson, Pete confirmed he has not spoken to either of them since they departed ARN, meaning he has not yet received Kyle's blessing on the move.

He remains hopeful, however, that his former boss would be supportive, saying Kyle had always wanted happiness for him. 

O'Connell – who already has a well-established team including producer Riordan 'Rio' Lee, newsreader Patrina Jones and ex-Today personality Alex Cullen – was effusive about the addition.

'Pete is one of the most genuinely loved voices in Australian breakfast radio, and he's chosen this as his next chapter,' O'Connell said in a statement.

'He's an extraordinary talent who's ready to evolve, and I couldn't be prouder that he's chosen the Bright Side of the Dial to do it on.'  

Meanwhile, KIIS FM has remained tight–lipped about potential replacement plans amid its ongoing legal battle over unfair dismissal claims by Kyle and Jackie.

However, sources revealed that talks with prospective replacements are already 'well underway'.