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Kyles Odd Weight-Loss Request Sparks Listener Backlash

Kyle Sandilands wanted to be 'friends again' with co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson by phoning her on live radio to talk about his weight loss success, just hours af...

Kyles Odd Weight-Loss Request Sparks Listener Backlash
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Bintano News

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wanted to be 'friends again' with co-host by phoning her on live radio to talk about his success, just hours after an on-air blow up.

The bizarre request was revealed in a amid her civil case against KIIS 106.5 owner ARN Media over the termination of her $100million contract.

ARN axed the radio duo's combined $200million deal after a segment on the Kyle and Jackie O Show on February 20 where Sandilands slammed Henderson over her 'fixation' on astrology. .

In the court documents, Henderson claimed she had two major blow ups with Sandilands before their final spat in February - the first was on August 20 when he made comments referencing 'psycho babble' and 'weird psychological bulls**t'.

The second was on September 10. Henderson claims that argument was censored and never went to air, but she messaged head of KIIS radio Derek Bargwanna afterwards, saying: 'I will not be spoken to the way I was (particularly off air)...'

About two hours later, at 8.10am, Mr Bargwanna texted Henderson, saying: 'Kyle is going to try and call you on air to share good news he lost weight. 

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'He wants to be your friend again etc.'

The context for the weight loss conversation is unclear, but Henderson claimed female listeners had by that stage already started lodging complaints about the pair's on-air dynamic, calling it an 'abusive' relationship, with Henderson saying she had examples of the feedback.

Jackie 'O' Henderson is suing ARN over the termination of her $100million contract

Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson are pictured at the KIIS 106.5 studio in Sydney 

Pictured: A mock-up of a text exchange between Jackie 'O' Henderson and head of KIIS radio, Derek Bargwanna

The core of Henderson's claim is that she had made a number of complaints about Sandilands, that ARN executives knew about those complaints, and failed to ensure that she was provided with a safe workspace.

She also claimed the broadcaster breached the Fair Work Act when it used her final complaint against Sandilands on February 20 as grounds to terminate her contract.

Further, Henderson accused the broadcaster of being 'misleading and deceptive' by misconstruing her complaint in an ASX announcement.

In her original complaint on February 26, Henderson said she 'could not continue to work with Mr Sandilands', but that she was willing to continue her contract with the station at a different show and wanted the broadcaster to propose an alternative.

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Five days later, Commonwealth Broadcasting Corporation - a subsidiary of ARN Media - replied claiming Henderson's complaint equated to giving notice for her resignation.

On the same day, ARN made an ASX announcement, telling shareholders: 'Ms Jacqueline Henderson has given notice that she cannot continue to work with Mr Kyle Sandilands.'

The announcement also implied Henderson had declined offers for alternative radio programs, which Henderson claims did not happen.

According to the statement of claim, the first argument on August 20 began when Sandilands criticised her interest in astrology, referring to it as 'psycho babble'.

Pictured: Head of KIIS radio Derek Bargwanna

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Kyle Sandilands is pictured at his Vaucluse home on March 17

Sandilands said 'I am worried' that she would never find love due to her compatibility 'requirements'.

Henderson accused him of attacking her, to which Sandilands replied 'this is talking, this isn't attacking' and told her to stop using 'hype words'.

He said, 'Why don't you just get rid of all of this rubbish that you've learnt…and go out and date and let everyone be free,' before saying Henderson was 'saying the same bulls**t statement that no one understands'.

Henderson replied: 'You're pushing me too far'.

She then briefly left the show, and referred to the exchange in court documents as 'offensive and degrading'. 

Henderson and Sandilands' relationship broke down during their final broadcast on February 20, when he claimed her 'fixation' on astrology made her 'almost unworkable' - to the point where she left the studio in tears.

Sandilands then said: 'You can't start crying about it, it's not that big a deal.'

According to the court documents, the broadcaster did not attempt to intervene or stop Sandilands.

Sandilands has co-hosted The Kyle and Jackie O Show - originally on 2Day FM - since January 2004, before moving to KIIS FM a decade later 

The following day, on February 21, Henderson texted CEO Michael Stephenson and chief content officer Kerri Elstub, saying Sandilands' conduct was 'unfair, inappropriate and completely unprovoked'.

She also asked whether anything had been put in place 'around boundaries and expectations moving forward'.

Henderson is claiming compensation of at least $82.25million, which is the remaining portion of her contract.

She alleged the termination of her contract was a result of her seeking a safe workplace, which was a breach of the Fair Work Act.

She is also seeking payment of a pecuniary penalty plus interest and costs.

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