Why radio executives are ‘very upset’ with Kyle Sandilands: Shock jock hints at a ‘fight’ with his boss – amid rumours his absence from KIIS FM’s Mardi Gras float caused tensions
It’s the biggest party in Sydney, so why didn’t Kyle Sandilands – the king of Sydney radio – attend the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras last weekend?
The shock jock’s absence raised eyebrows among industry observers, who noted that it was unusual he wasn’t on KIIS FM’s float in the parade.
At the time, Kyle was in Los Angeles – where he broadcasts from several months of the year – and didn’t fly back for the occasion.
No-show: Radio executives are said to be ‘very upset’ with Kyle Sandilands (second from right) after he didn’t fly back to Australia last weekend for Mardi Gras, where KIIS FM had a float in the parade. Pictured at the 2018 Mardi Gras with newsreader Brooklyn Ross (left), co-host Jackie ‘O’ Henderson (second from left) and then-girlfriend Imogen Anthony (right)
Perhaps because Kyle wasn’t attending, his co-host Jackie ‘O’ Henderson didn’t either.
A source told Daily Mail Australia that executives at KIIS FM’s parent company, ARN, were ‘very upset’ by the situation, given the fact KIIS was featured prominently in the parade and is an official Mardi Gras media partner.
But the network has since clarified that Kyle was ‘never required’ to be there, despite having attended in previous years.
Overseas: At the time, Kyle was in Los Angeles – where he broadcasts from several months of the year – and didn’t fly back for the occasion. Pictured in his LA studio this week
ARN’s National Content Director, Duncan Campbell, said: ‘Kyle was never required to be on the KIIS Mardi Gras float this year, as such he was in LA as planned.’
KIIS FM’s float featured lesser known drive time presenters Will McMahon and Woody Whitelaw as marquee stars instead of Kyle and Jackie O.
Daily Mail Australia understands that while KIIS FM is an official media partner of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, it was not part of any agreement that Kyle and Jackie would have to attend.
On The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Tuesday, Kyle alluded to having had a ‘fight’ with ARN bosses – but it’s understood this was about sick days, not the Mardi Gras issue.
Absent: While KIIS FM is an official media partner of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, it was not part of any agreement that Kyle and Jackie (pictured) would have to attend. However, a source has claimed radio executives were nonetheless disappointed
Kyle has been broadcasting from a studio in LA since early February. He owns a home there and has been living in America part time for 15 years.
It’s possible that he decided to stay in the U.S. because his personal life has been making headlines in Australia recently.
His girlfriend, Tegan Kynaston, pleaded guilty on January 21 to slapping a policewoman during a public spat with her boyfriend the previous month.
She is seeking to have her case dealt with under mental health provisions. If successful, this means she may not receive a criminal conviction.
Bad times: It’s possible that Karl decided to stay in America because his personal life has been making headlines recently. His girlfriend, Tegan Kynaston (left), pleaded guilty on January 21 to slapping a policewoman during a public spat with her boyfriend the previous month