Kyle and Jackie O deal: Radio host breaks down live on air over shock axing

Melbourne-based breakfast radio host Lauren Phillips has broken down after she and her co-host Jason Hawkins were brutally axed from their radio show following news Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson's breakfast show will air in Melbourne next year. The pair, who host Jase & Lauren on Melbourne's KIIS 101.1FM, will lose their jobs when Kyle and Jackie O begin syndicating on the station.

While the $200m deal has been rumoured for some time, Lauren and Jase didn't find out officially until last night.

"Last night, we all received a phone call from management … Mine was during ‘black hawk down hour’ when all the kids are cracking it trying to get to sleep," Lauren said.

"[Management were] informing us that the show will be finishing up at the end of this year. We’ll be finishing up at the end of 2023. Kyle and Jackie O will be taking over in 2024."

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"They’ll be syndicating their show from Sydney to broadcast here in Melbourne."

The host began to tear up, adding, "This is certainly not the way we wanted to bow out."

"We didn’t have a choice," Lauren continued. "It’s a business decision that we have been told is what’s happening. We don’t want to say goodbye. We didn’t have to be here this morning to make this announcement, but we’re here."

Lauren and Jase's announcement came as Kyle and Jackie O signed their new contract live on air, with Kyle saying, "Melbourne listeners, you’ll hear us on KIIS 101.1 on the Melbourne FM."

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"We want to thank the listeners. Staff. All the clients. Even senior management, I’ll give a nod to. They actually did something brilliant."

Jason revealed during their show that he'd spoken to Jackie, saying, "I said, ‘You guys are very lucky to have the people we have listening to this show.'"

"We have had just an absolute ball the last couple of years."

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