Jackie Os Radio Absence Costs Big Amid Rift

As speculation mounts over 's on-air future, the staggering cost of her absence has been revealed.  

Henderson, 51, has been AWOL from the Kyle & Jackie O show since Friday, 20 February, after she was involved in a fiery on-air clash with co-host  over her alleged lack of 'focus' in her work.   

With her absence now extending into a second week, the time away from the airwaves is certainly hurting the radio queen's hip pocket.

Back in 2023, the radio stars signed a huge 10-year contract worth $100 million each, with the pair paid approximately $47,000 per episode.

According to News Corp, both Sandilands and Henderson have a 'no show, no pay' clause in their contract.

This means that Henderson's two-week absence will cost her at least $470,000.

With no indication of when – or even if – Henderson will return, that figure will likely increase further. 

While Henderson's walk-out came as a shock to many, some industry insiders said it was a long time coming.

Craig Bruce, who was program director at 2DayFM during Kyle and Jackie's reign at the station, told 10 NEWS + on Monday that the show was likely over.

'I think that they're drifting apart. It's kind of understandable. They have been together now for close to 27 years,' Bruce said.

'So they spent half their lives in a small room together.'

Asked if this rift was 'the beginning of the end', Bruce said he felt it was.

Similarly, entertainment journalist Peter Ford claimed on Monday that it was likely that the duo's contract would be 'ripped up and binned'.

He doubled down on his assertions on Tuesday's Sunrise, claiming that Henderson had 'sought legal advice' to weigh up her options. 

 'I’m hearing Jackie O feels she has to and she has to do it to show that you do not have to be demeaned and belittled in your workplace as she was on that particular day when Kyle gave her that dressing down,' he said.