Sophie Monk stands as the leading candidate to fill the breakfast slot on KIIS FM Sydney vacated by The Kyle & Jackie O Show, amid ongoing legal disputes between Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson with ARN. Insiders confirm the 46-year-old TV personality has received three approaches from the network since the 54-year-old Sandilands and 51-year-old Henderson saw their contracts terminated.
Monk’s Reluctance to Return to Radio
Despite her strong ties to ARN and friendships with Sandilands and Henderson, Monk shows no interest in the role. “She has shut them down and has no interest,” an insider reveals. “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, however, resulted in poor ratings and failed to recapture listeners.
The entertainer remains cautious about committing to a full-time breakfast gig. “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 adds. “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.”
The Kyle & Jackie O Show’s Dramatic End
Henderson’s on-air departure from KIIS FM on February 20 marked the collapse of one of Australia’s top radio partnerships. She informed ARN she “could not continue to work with Mr Kyle Sandilands” following a heated broadcast argument.
ARN responded by terminating Henderson’s contract, then Sandilands’ two weeks later upon his return from suspension. Fans had speculated Monk might pair with Sandilands, drawn to her down-to-earth style, cheeky humor, and relaxed demeanor.
ARN’s Hunt for Replacements
With the powerhouse show canceled last month, ARN urgently seeks new talent. Mike Etheridge currently hosts the slot alone, while Ben Fordham, Carrie Bickmore, and Karl Stefanovic rank among potential candidates.
Financial and Legal Fallout
ARN faces severe repercussions, including lawsuits from both hosts. Sandilands seeks up to $85 million, while Henderson claims adverse action and breach of contract. The company’s market value has plunged to between $100 million and $110 million as of late March 2026, down from previous highs and briefly dipping to $98.5 million.
