Abbie Chatfield Joins KIIS FM for a Week-Long Guest Role
Abbie Chatfield made her debut on KIIS FM this week, stepping into the breakfast radio slot left vacant after the cancellation of The Kyle and Jackie O Show. The 30-year-old podcaster was welcomed into the KIIS FM family with open arms, marking a new chapter in her career.
During her first day on the job, Abbie was seen interacting with Pete Deppeler, affectionately known as Intern Pete. He is a long-time producer, reporter, and occasional on-air talent who has worked closely with Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson. In photos and videos shared on Instagram, Abbie and Pete were seen cuddling and laughing together during a comedic segment, showing that she quickly fit in with the team.
This move comes at a time when KIIS FM has been navigating some challenges following the departure of Sandilands and Henderson. The network has been working to fill the void left by its former flagship duo, and Abbie’s short-term role is part of that effort.
Chatfield previously had her own radio show, Hot Nights with Abbie Chatfield, on the Hit Network. However, she stepped away from that role in 2023, making her current position at KIIS FM a fresh start.
Abbie is set to co-host the breakfast show alongside Mike Etheridge (Mike E) and newsreader Brooklyn Ross. Both Mike and Brooklyn have been managing the show since The Kyle & Jackie O Show was taken off the air in March. Abbie’s role is temporary, lasting just one week while the network searches for permanent replacements.
ARN, the parent company of KIIS FM, has not provided details about potential replacement plans, as it continues to deal with legal issues related to unfair dismissal claims by Kyle and Jackie. However, sources have indicated that discussions with possible replacements are already underway.
This isn’t the first time someone has filled in for the departed duo. Recently, Georgie Tunny, a popular Channel Ten star, sat in the KIIS breakfast chair alongside Mike E. This suggests that the network is actively seeking new talent to bring energy and freshness to the show.
KIIS FM executives have expressed optimism about the recent GfK radio ratings survey results. According to the report, the show saw a significant increase in listenership in both Sydney and Melbourne. In Sydney, the number of listeners rose by 37,000 compared to the previous survey, which covered the period from 18 January to 28 February. The cumulative ratings figures show that 673,000 listeners tuned in between February 8 and April 4.
In Melbourne, the numbers also improved, with listenership increasing from 403,000 to 440,000 over the same period. These results indicate that the show is gaining momentum and could be heading in a positive direction under its new temporary hosts.
