Kyle Sandilands stunned as Sydney banker accused of horrific attack in French hotel is revealed to be ex-boyfriend of former Kyle & Jackie O star Intern Pete: 'He's been in my home!'

Kyle Sandilands was shocked after discovering a high-flying Sydney banker who has been accused of trying to kill his boyfriend with a hot saucepan in a luxury French hotel was once romantically involved with former Kyle & Jackie O personality Intern Pete.

The radio king, 55, made the astonishing connection live on air after newsreader Brooklyn Ross detailed allegations against high-flying finance executive David Cao, 37.

'My God, that's Intern Pete's Asian banker boyfriend!' a stunned Sandilands exclaimed.

'Been in my house, that bloke! That's why I recognise him. He's been in my home.'

French authorities allege Cao struck Mr Forbes on the head with a saucepan and poured boiling water over him during the incident.

The couple had reportedly checked into the hotel's famed 'caves room', paying about $500 for the night, and planned to travel to Amsterdam the following day for the World Gay Pride festival.

Guests and staff allegedly heard screams coming from the room before hotel workers discovered Mr Forbes seriously injured and alone.

Cao allegedly fled the hotel in a rental car and was arrested about 36 hours later in Lille, almost 500km north of the hotel.

He was detained near the Belgian border and has been charged with attempted murder, kidnapping, theft, torture and acts of barbarity.

Sandilands admitted he was shocked by the allegations, describing Cao as a 'sweetheart' during the time he knew him.

'Not the man I met,' he said.

The Daily Mail exclusively revealed Cao previously dated high-profile radio personality and producer 'Intern' Pete Deppeler in 2020.

The Mail understands the relationship lasted only a few months and did not end on good terms. 

Deppeler declined to comment when contacted by the Mail.

Those who knew Cao have described him to the Mail as 'highly strung'.

A former colleague at the Bank of Queensland described him as 'annoying' to work with and said he had an 'inflated opinion of himself'. 

'He wasn't an executive, he liked to think he was,' they said.

Cao often boasted about his professional achievements on LinkedIn, where he shared photographs of himself rubbing shoulders with the likes of former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce, Westpac CEO Anthony Miller and chief executive Carolyn McCann.

According to his profile, he spent four months as head of retail value creation at ING Australia until he was reportedly dismissed following the alleged attempted murder.

He worked at Westpac between 2016 and 2020 and again between 2024 and 2026. He was a consultant, business manager, head of strategy, executive manager and head of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

Cao also worked as chief business development officer and chief of staff to the CEO at the Bank of Queensland, as a strategy manager at the Commonwealth Bank and as an analyst at Goldman Sachs. 

Earlier this year, he became a board member of Rainbow Giving Australia, an LGBTQI organisation that secures funding for the community. 

According to his Rainbow Giving Australia bio, Cao 'drove enterprise, systemic change to build a culture of inclusion (and) increase diverse representation at all levels' during his time at Westpac.

He also claimed to 'foster an environment where all employees feel safe, valued and belong'.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to Cao's partner, who is recovering in hospital.

Cao reportedly hopes to return to Australia in the next two weeks and will be held in custody while awaiting trial.

Australia has an extradition treaty with France, which means Cao could be extradited home if he meets certain requirements.

The alleged crime must be considered an offence in both countries, Australian officials must submit a formal request for extradition and French courts must approve the request.