Sophie Monk emerges as the top candidate to fill the breakfast slot vacated by The Kyle & Jackie O Show on KIIS FM Sydney, amid ongoing legal disputes between Kyle Sandilands, 54, and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson, 51, with network owner ARN.
Insiders indicate Monk, 46, has received three approaches from ARN since the termination of Sandilands and Henderson’s contracts. However, she shows no interest in the role.
Monk’s Past Radio Struggles Fuel Hesitation
“She has shut them down and has no interest,” one insider states. “She has done breakfast before, and it didn’t work out because she didn’t love who she was teamed up with.”
Monk previously stepped in as the star replacement for Sandilands and Henderson on 2Day FM in 2014 after their move to ARN. Her pairing with Merrick Watts and Jules Lund resulted in poor ratings and failed to recapture audiences.
Current concerns center on the demanding breakfast hours. “What she is keeping in mind is how difficult breakfast hours are and when it starts getting cold, and the ratings are going down,” the insider notes. “It could negatively impact her ability to earn outside of radio. If you have a stench of failure on you, it can impact other work.”
Monk’s down-to-earth personality, cheeky banter, and relaxed style position her as a strong fit to replace Henderson, especially alongside Sandilands before his full exit. Fans had pushed for this duo.
ARN Scrambles for Replacement Talent
ARN urgently seeks high-profile hosts to succeed the ratings powerhouse. Mike Etheridge currently fills the slot solo, with Ben Fordham, Carrie Bickmore, and Karl Stefanovic under consideration.
Monk’s established ties to ARN and friendships with Sandilands and Henderson bolstered her candidacy.
Timeline of the Kyle & Jackie O Split
Henderson’s dramatic on-air departure on February 20 marked the end of the iconic duo. She informed ARN she could no longer work with Sandilands following a heated broadcast argument on The Kyle & Jackie O Show.
ARN terminated Henderson’s contract shortly after, then ended Sandilands’ two weeks later upon his suspension’s conclusion.
ARN Faces Financial and Legal Fallout
The network suffers a sharp valuation drop to between $100 million and $110 million as of late March 2026, after dipping to $98.5 million. Sandilands pursues a claim worth up to $85 million, while Henderson files suit alleging adverse action and breach of contract.
