Hamish Blake Reflects on Radio Partnerships and the Kyle Sandilands-Jackie O Split
Hamish Blake, a well-known comedian and radio presenter, has shared his thoughts on one of the most dramatic splits in Australian radio history — the end of the long-standing partnership between Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O Henderson. Blake, 44, has been working alongside his close friend and fellow comedian Andy Lee for many years, and he recently discussed his experiences with Mark Bouris on the Straight Talk podcast.
When asked about his reaction to the public split between Sandilands and Henderson, Blake expressed his sadness, saying, “That’s sad, because no one ever wants it to end.” He emphasized that finding a special partner in radio is a rare and valuable thing, adding, “It’s really fun doing things when you find that special person.”
Blake also reflected on his own experience working with Lee in the public eye. He acknowledged the extra pressures that come with having a professional relationship that’s visible to the public. “You always are aware that we’re going to have extra pressures on us because our relationship’s in the open,” he said.
He explained that being on air requires a lot of trust and adaptability. “You never know what you’re going to say every day,” he said. “So, it’s a huge trust exercise with the person you’re on air with. And it’s ‘the dance’ — and anyone in radio knows this dance, whether it’s two people, four people, five people.”
Blake described how radio presenters constantly create content on the fly, taking risks and seeing how their co-hosts respond. “Because [you’re] throwing something out there about the other person, about yourself, and you’re always seeing how each other responds,” he added. “And so, anyone that does that dance has to be really skilled at it.”
He praised Sandilands and Henderson for their decades-long success, calling them “unbelievably skilled and experienced people” who achieved “crazily successful” careers through their talent as broadcasters. However, he also noted that any partnership eventually comes to an end. “Anyone in a partnership is always ‘so aware’ that it must come to an end,” he said.
Blake shared how he and Lee ensure their partnership remains positive and enjoyable. “We don’t want this to end. And that’s why we check in and we’re like, ‘Are you still having fun? Are you still having fun?’ And we’ve always checked in along our career,” he said.
The pair have explored various career paths together, from radio to television, social media, and live performances. They’ve also taken time apart, which Blake believes has helped their partnership thrive. “We’ve always ebbed and flowed,” he reflected. “But all those changes, I would say, have happened because pre-emptively we’ve gone, ‘Hey, before it gets too much, before this burns us out, I can feel it coming. Not now, but maybe in a year. How would you feel about… [stepping] back from the drive show? Could we do something different?'”
The Kyle Sandilands-Jackie O Split: A Public Drama
The conflict between Sandilands and Henderson began on February 20, 2026, when Sandilands reportedly told Henderson on-air that she was “off with the fairies” and that her focus on astrology had made her “unworkable.” Henderson left the conversation and did not return to the airwaves. On March 3, ARN confirmed that Henderson could “no longer work” with Sandilands, and her contract was terminated shortly after.
Sandilands was given 14 days to address the “breach of conduct,” which he claims was impossible to resolve. He has since filed a court application against KIIS FM licensee Commonwealth Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), alleging that his reputation was damaged by the on-air incident.
Henderson, meanwhile, has filed a statement of claim, arguing that she was unfairly terminated. She claims she had raised concerns about Sandilands’ behavior six months before the on-air argument. Court documents reveal that she complained about Sandilands after an incident in August 2025, where she accused him of berating her during their show and treating her as if they were in an “abusive relationship.”
The legal battle between the former co-hosts continues, highlighting the complexities of long-term partnerships in the public eye. As Blake pointed out, such relationships require constant communication, trust, and the willingness to adapt — lessons that both Sandilands and Henderson may have overlooked.
