Updated March 17, 2026 — 8:30pm,first published 5:08pm
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Kyle Sandilands joked at the live recording of Australian Idol on Tuesday night that he would soon be looking for a job at budget menswear chain Lowes.
“I’ve got nothing else on my mind except the excitment of the vote,” a jovial Sandilands said when asked by Australian Idol hosts Ricki Lee and Scott Tweedie for his thoughts on the live vote for the singing competition. “I’m also dressed like this [referring to his black suit] because I have a job interview at Lowes after the show. With radio guys, once you’re out of radio, all you can do is sell socks at Lowes.”
To cheers from the audience and a pat on the arm by fellow judge Marcia Hines, Sandilands continued: “For now, I’ve got this job and for now” – he theatrically checked his watch – “I still have the other job.”
Added judge Amy Shark: “You can put us down for a reference.”
Make-up crews armed with battery-operated fans and ice packs cooled Sandilands down during ad breaks.
“Kyle gets sweaty sitting down,” the crowd co-ordinator joked to the crowd.
“I’ve got a lot on my mind,” Sandilands replied.
The co-ordinator continued: “We are running a little behind schedule today – that’s Kyle’s fault. He’s been at Centrelink. Filling out a JobSeeker form takes a lot of time – you have to jump through a lot of hoops.”
Sandilands appeared light-hearted on the show, after claiming earlier in the afternoon he had “many options” but had not heard from his employer just hours before the expiration of a 14-day deadline set by KIIS owner ARN for the controversial broadcaster to repair his relationship with his co-host, Jackie “O” Henderson, or have his $100 million contract torn up.
On Tuesday afternoon, Sandilands emerged from his Vaucluse mansion dressed in a grey blazer and black T-shirt to address a media scrum before heading to a live taping of Australian Idol at Rooty Hill, declaring his listeners wanted him back on air.
Kyle Sandilands addresses media outside his Vaucluse home on Tuesday.Jessica Hromas
“I can’t say too much because I haven’t heard anything yet,” Sandilands said. “I still want to do the show. The listeners want me back on doing the show.”
Sandilands said he couldn’t predict what will happen with ARN, which has remained silent over the two-week period since it suspended the host for alleged “serious misconduct” after he berated his co-host Jackie “O” Henderson on air last month.
As his manager, Bruno Bouchet, appeared to film Sandilands with an action camera and journalists peppered him with questions, the broadcaster answered questions for less than a minute before departing. Despite having a luxury car parked in front of his residence, Sandilands left in a black van.
ARN’s board is expected to meet early on Wednesday, after the expiration of the midnight deadline set by the company.
Sandilands exits his home, heading to a live taping of Australian Idol.Jessica Hromas
The board will then consider whether Sandilands has remedied the matter, and what further action it can take, including whether it will terminate Sandilands’ contract as it did with Henderson’s earlier in the month.
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Henderson’s contract was torn up after she told the company via her lawyers that she could not continue working with Sandilands. Both were signed to 10-year deals in 2023, requiring them to deliver The Kyle & Jackie O Show for a combined $200 million. Without Henderson, Sandilands will also be unable to deliver this show.
Asked about reports he would try to buy into KIIS’ parent company, ARN, Sandilands responded: “There are many options, that’s all I’ll say.”
Sandilands was photographed meeting Stuart Laundy this week, part of the family which recently agreed to purchase talkback stations including 2GB and 3AW from Nine, the owner of this masthead.
Stuart Laundy’s brother Craig, a former Liberal MP, led the family’s purchase of the radio network alongside their father, Arthur.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority imposed extra licence conditions on ARN on Monday after it found Sandilands and Henderson had repeatedly breached decency rules, complicating any potential purchase linked to the broadcaster.
ARN has not commented since it issued an initial statement announcing its sanction against Sandilands two weeks ago.
Henderson said on March 6 that she had not quit the show and was addressing the matter through her lawyers.
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Calum Jaspan is a media writer for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, based in Melbourne. Reach him securely on Signal @calumjaspan.10Connect via X or email.
Ellie Busby is a Parramatta reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.
Louise Rugendyke is the National TV editor and a senior culture writer for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.Connect via X or email.From our partners