Kyle Sandilands had the censors sweating on Tuesday night as he went off script during a live episode of Australian Idol.
The shock jock reportedly had radio network ARN worried that he’d say something uncouth once he was untethered by the reality show’s live to air telecasts, and those concerns were somewhat founded as Sandilands took the first available opportunity to air his woes at KIIS FM.
The 54-year-old began by addressing host Ricki-Lee Coulter, before launching into hints that he may be out of a job as his ARN suspension deadline expires at midnight on Tuesday.
‘Today, Ricki, I’ve got nothing else on my mind except the excitement of the vote,’ Kyle joked.
He then referred to the slick black suit he was wearing for the occasion, joking that he was suited-up in the hopes of landing a job at menswear retailer, Lowes.
‘I’m also dressed like this because I have a job interview with Lowes after the show,’ Kyle said.
Kyle Sandilands (pictured) had the censors sweating on Tuesday night as he went off script during a live episode of Australian Idol
‘The radio guys… once you’re out of radio you have to sell socks at Lowes.’
Sandilands then glanced at his watch as he added: ‘For now I’ve got this job, and for now I still have the other job.’
Fellow judge Amy Shark suggested that she could be a reference for Kyle if he needed a new job.
‘I might take you up on that,’ Sandilands quipped.
Earlier on Tuesday, the shock jock gave an official, albeit brief, statement outside his Vaucluse home as he made his way to filming duties on Australian Idol.
Addressing waiting media, Kyle confirmed that he wanted to continue work on The Kyle and Jackie O Show, but admitted that his future at KIIS FM still hangs in the balance, with the midnight deadline for a decision from ARN looming.
After insisting he felt ‘good’, the radio king admitted that nothing has been decided with regard to his ongoing contract at the network.
‘I obviously can’t say too much because I haven’t heard anything yet,’ Kyle said.
‘I still want to do this show. The listeners want me back on there doing the show. So at the end of the day, I’ve got a contract with ARN, I expect them to honour that. And I do have some options.’
The 54-year-old began by addressing host Ricki-Lee Coulter, before launching into hints that he may be out of a job as his ARN suspension deadline expires at midnight on Tuesday. Pictured alongside fellow judge Marcia Hines
‘I’m also dressed like this because I have a job interview with Lowes after the show,’ Kyle said
When asked what those options are, Kyle, who was accompanied by his manager Bruno Bouchet, replied: ‘No idea yet. Many options.’
Sandilands was then asked if rumours that he plans to buy ARN are true.
‘There’s many options, that is all I am going to say. I can’t predict anything. Still waiting,’ he replied cryptically.
Kyle would not be drawn on questions about whether or not he has yet spoken to former co-host Jackie ‘O’ Henderson, simply ignoring the queries before hurriedly leaving the premises.
The Australian Radio Network (ARN) announced last month that Jackie ‘O’ 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.
ARN also provided written notice to 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. That deadline is believed to end at midnight on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, just prior to Sandilands’ appearance, Henderson was spotted looking very downcast in Bondi.
Earlier on Tuesday, the shock jock gave an official, albeit brief, statement outside his Vaucluse home as he made his way to filming duties on Australian Idol
Sandilands 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.
Last Tuesday, Sandilands released his own statement, claiming he has been ‘muzzled’ by ARN, and barred from contacting Henderson or speaking with colleagues.
‘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.’
With his career future in the balance, Sandilands set tongues wagging after taking a very intriguing meeting over the weekend.
He met with Stu Laundy, whose billionaire father Arthur Laundy recently bought Nine Entertainment’s radio assets, including 2GB in Sydney, 3AW in Melbourne, 4BC in Brisbane and 6PR in Perth.
Adding further intrigue to the catch-up, which was held at Sandilands’ McMahons Point offices, the radio king was accompanied by his manager, Bouchet.
The meeting has led to whispers that Sandilands is eyeing a future on radio outside of the ARN family.
