In the midst of an absolute Aussie radio scandal extravaganza, Kyle Sandilands has done the hottest thing a man can do: apologise and mean it.

The 54-year-old radio star has found himself in the middle of Australia’s most talked-about entertainment saga.

I never thought I’d say this, but this story is bigger than Karl Stefanovic and Michael Clarke feuding and limping in Noosa Park.

Kyle’s on-air fight with his co-host and friend, Jackie O, and the subsequent fallout, is the biggest scandal we’ve had in years; it is kind of incomparable.

After their feud, Kyle and Jackie were not talking, but the pair are now back to being a “united front” because he did one very important, very simple, yet rare thing.

Kyle apologised.

MORE:Kyle, Jackie next moves exposed as show axed

‘The fight’: That got the show taken off the air

In a now-viral moment, Kyle claimed in the pair’s on-air argument on February 20 that Jackie’s love of star signs and astrology was affecting her ability to do her job (god forbid a girl have a hobby) and made her cry.

Jackie then took a week off, and people cared when she fled, but we all assumed she and Kyle would kiss and make up. Listeners are used to The Kyle & Jackie O Show offering wild, exciting and unpredictable radio, and it isn’t unusual for the two to argue and for things to get heated.

Then, on March 3, ARN announced Jackie’s contract had been “terminated” and the show was ripped off the air.

In its statement, ARN also declared that Kyle’s on-air criticism of Jackie was considered “serious misconduct”, that he had been suspended and had 14 days to remedy the situation.

MORE:Kyle Sandilands’ $8m ask amid on-air fallout

‘Crossed a line’: Kyle’s comeback

The show being taken off the airwaves was shocking but what most people were talking about was the end of Kyle and Jackie’s friendship.

There were a lot of arguments made online and in real life that Kyle had “gone too far” and “crossed a line” and had been too “mean”.

The general consensus was that Jackie had finally had enough, and the pair would not only never appear on-air together again but also not remain mates after 25 years.

I think a lot of people figured there wasn’t a way back, particularly after such a public spray and abrupt end to the on-air partnership. At that point, I definitely didn’t think there was much Kyle could do to save the relationship.

In a dramatic turn of events, though (this story has more drama than Home and Away) Kyle and Jackie are mates again.

How? Because he apologised privately by text and again in his bombshell statement yesterday, and made it clear how much Jackie means to him.

Firstly, Kyle shared that he’d texted Jackie and apologised profusely after realising he’d really hurt her feelings.

“I sent Jackie a message telling her I was sorry for anything I said that didn’t go down well, that I love her and care for her, and that I could have handled it better. I meant every word of that, and I still do,” he said.

Kyle also referred to Jackie as his “partner” and pointed out that partners have disagreements, but they don’t have to be a relationship-ending.

“Jackie and I have worked together for over 25 years. She is one of the most important people in my life,” he said.

“The idea that our partnership could end like this is devastating to me.”

Kyle is known for being a shock jock, a larger-than-life character and someone with a reputation for being unflinchingly honest, and the apology comes across as sincere.

For better or worse, he doesn’t hold back.

Hottest thing a man can do

Truthfully, one of the hottest things a man can do is acknowledge his mistakes, own up to his wrongdoings and apologise. Which is exactly what Kyle did; he also apologised without making excuses for himself.

He didn’t say, “I’m sorry I hurt your feelings, but you really talk about star signs too much.” He said, “I could have handled it better.”

This is a man taking responsibility for his own actions and not shirking any onto Jackie or anyone else.

Again, emotional maturity is among the most attractive traits a man can have. Dare I say, he has even done a bit of self-reflection? And also not come to the conclusion that it was all Jackie’s fault? Again, it’s hot.

This certainly doesn’t make Kyle perfect, but I also can’t pretend it isn’t a perfect and effective response.

So, men, learn from this: if you mess up, apologise. Your partner just might forgive you.