Jackie ‘O’ Henderson has reportedly accused her former employer, ARN, of wrongful termination and misleading investors following the collapse of her $200 million radio deal with co-host Kyle Sandilands.
According to the Australian Financial Review, sources close to Henderson’s legal correspondence with ARN have claimed Henderson is threatening the company with legal action for wrongful termination.
ARN announced last month that Henderson’s $100 million contract had been terminated after she told executives she ‘cannot continue to work with Mr Kyle Sandilands’ following his harsh on-air comments that left her in tears.
In the same statement, ARN said it had ‘offered to Ms Henderson the possibility of an alternative show on the ARN network’.
However, in a statement issued through her manager Gemma O’Neill, Henderson stated she ‘did not quit or resign’, that she was ‘deeply saddened by the possibility of the show ending’, and that her exit ‘had come as a shock’.
The AFR claims the wrongful termination suit suggests Henderson didn’t want out of her contract with The Kyle & Jackie O Show, and instead argues the network seized the opportunity to remove her from what had become a costly deal.
Jackie ‘O’ Henderson has reportedly accused her former employer, ARN, of wrongful termination and misleading investors following the collapse of her $200 million radio deal with co-host Kyle Sandilands (Henderson is pictured on Friday heading to the gym)
She is also reportedly arguing that the company never offered her another show.
An ARN spokesperson told the publication the company stands by its statement to the ASX.
Meanwhile, ARN provided written notice to her co-host Sandilands stating it considers his behaviour during the show on February 20 to be ‘an act of serious misconduct which is in breach of ARN’s service agreement with Quasar Media’.
Sandilands has been suspended and given 14 days to ‘remedy’ the breach, or else he faces termination.
The radio titan is said to have called in lawyers and is ‘preparing to sue’ ARN should his $100 million contract be terminated following the collapse of the show last month.
On Tuesday, Sandilands released his own statement, claiming he has been ‘muzzled’ by ARN, and barred from contacting Henderson or speaking with colleagues.
According to News.com.au, Henderson reached out to Sandilands last week amid reports he was feeling ‘betrayed’ by their employer.
After connecting, both Sandilands and Henderson apparently realised ARN had told them separately that the other party didn’t wish to be contacted.
According to the Australian Financial Review , sources close to Henderson’s legal correspondence with ARN have claimed Henderson is threatening the company with a wrongful termination lawsuit
Henderson was last spotted on Friday as she headed to the gym for a low-key workout. She showed off her slim frame in a tight T-shirt and loose sweatpants
‘They both realised, like, “Why aren’t we allowed to talk to each other?”‘ a source said.
Henderson was spotted on Friday as she headed to the gym for a low-key workout.
She showed off her slim frame in a tight T-shirt and loose sweatpants, completing her look with red-and-white sneakers.
Attempting to fly under the radar, the radio star covered her face behind a pair of sunglasses.
On Tuesday, Sandilands released his own statement, claiming he has been ‘muzzled’ by ARN, and barred from contacting Henderson or speaking with colleagues.
‘I want to speak directly to my listeners, my colleagues and the public about what has been happening,’ Sandilands began in his statement.
‘On 20 February, I had an argument with Jackie on air about something that had been bothering me for a while. I said things I wish I had said differently.’
Sandilands went on to say that he privately apologised to Henderson after the feud and deeply regretted hurting his long-time co-host’s feelings.
Meanwhile, ARN provided written notice to Sandilands (pictured) stating that it considers his behaviour during the show on February 20 to be ‘an act of serious misconduct which is in breach of ARN’s service agreement with Quasar Media’
‘That same evening, I sent Jackie a message telling her I was sorry for anything I said that didn’t go down well, that I love her and care for her, and that I could have handled it better. I meant every word of that, and I still do,’ he continued.
‘Jackie and I have worked together for over 25 years. She is one of the most important people in my life. The idea that our partnership could end like this is devastating to me.’
The shock jock went on to claim ARN had imposed some strict conditions amid the fallout.
‘ARN told me that I am not allowed to contact Jackie. They have told me that I am not allowed to speak to my colleagues. I did what was asked even though it made it impossible for me to do the one thing anyone in my position would want to do – pick up the phone and talk to the person I have been talking with continually for my entire career,’ he explained.
‘The truth is that ARN terminated Jackie’s contract on the same day it accused me of a breach. It suspended me from work. All of this happened while I was being told to sit quietly and say nothing. That is not a genuine process.’
While acknowledging Henderson had told him she was hurt, he insisted they had always resolved disagreements privately.
‘I am not going to pretend that everything about this situation is simple. Jackie told me she was hurt, and I accept that. But we have had disagreements before and we have always worked through them. That is what partners do. We never needed lawyers or ASX announcements to sort things out. I believe we could have sorted this out too, if ARN had given us the chance.
‘I have a contract with ARN that runs until 2034. I am committed to that contract. Despite what ARN says, I am not in breach of that contract. I want to be on air. I want to be with my audience. I want to do the job I have done my entire adult life,’ he insisted.
‘I am asking ARN to do the right thing: honour our agreement and let me get back to doing what I do best – entertaining the people who have supported this show for more than two decades.’
He concluded: ‘To my listeners: Thank you. I miss you. I’ll be back.’
