Radio shock jock Kyle Sandilands has revealed his mother is undergoing treatment for cancer. The sacked broadcaster made the revelation while responding to news of his $12 million settlement with his former employer, KIIS FM owner ARN.
Mother's cancer treatment
Speaking to 7NEWS outside his new home in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs, Sandilands said he was departing to collect his mother from a medical appointment for cancer treatment. The 55-year-old and his former co-host Jackie "O" Henderson were sacked from their breakfast radio show in March after an on-air argument between the pair.
Background of the dispute
Sandilands had inked a $100 million contract to front a breakfast show on ARN's KIIS FM until 2034. But that was torn up and he was sacked following the on-air clash with Henderson. ARN Media confirmed in an ASX announcement on Wednesday that it would pay Sandilands $12 million.
The on-air feud
The pair's long-running show was brought to a close in late February following a heated on-air feud sparked when Henderson read through Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's astrology chart in response to news of his arrest. Sandilands criticised her "fixation" on astrology, saying it was affecting other parts of the show. "I don't mean to be rude, as I said fascinating, but I don't think it should be at the detriment of everything else on the show," Sandilands said. "It's affecting other things. Your fixation on this has made you almost unworkable."
Defending herself, Henderson said the comments were "unfair" and that "I would never say things like that about you." "You make out like you're perfect but there are so many things that you don't do, and I would never bring them up, and I would never say what people say," Henderson said.
Legal proceedings
Henderson was also later dismissed. Court documents revealed the pair were allegedly involved in a fiery clash behind the scenes months before the argument that finally ended their lucrative on-air partnership. Henderson launched separate legal action to contest her termination in March. Legal proceedings with Henderson are ongoing, ARN confirmed on Wednesday.
