NO replacement for Kyle and Jackie O: ARN boss confirms vacant breakfast radio slot will stay empty - but hints at new hosts in 2027

ARN has confirmed that the vacant KIIS FM radio slot left open by the cancellation of The Kyle and Jackie O Show will stay empty for the rest of the year. 

The network's Director of Content for Metro Radio, Dave Cameron, told Media Week that a plan is in process - but that process will be slow. 

'We're building a strategy for 2027 onwards,' he said. 

'Anything that happens earlier will be a bonus, but the strategy is for 2027 onwards, as it takes time to put things in place and will have an element of familiarity.'

Cameron said that he attributed the recent drama around Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson, and additionally Karl Stefanovic's exit from The Long Weekend, as a mere side effect of the boldness the network is known for. 

'You put a little bit of danger into building new things, and that comes with the risk that not everything's going to work out the way it was intended,' he said. 

'But we'll make some decisions about where that show is at in the next short period.'

The breakfast slot occupied by Sandilands and Henderson before their show was abruptly cancelled in March has been held together by a series of guest presenters. 

The likes of Abbie Chatfield, Georgie Tunny, Bianca Dye and MasterChef Australia star Melissa Leong have all stepped behind the mic.

A number of names have been bandied about in industry circles as potential permanent replacements for the fallen shock jocks.  

Chief among them are broadcasting veterans Carrie Bickmore and Dr Chris Brown.

However, it could be a case of wishful thinking as Bickmore currently helms a 2Day FM show with Tommy Little and is reportedly under contract until the end of the year.

Further, Brown had been a frequent guest on The Kyle & Jackie O Show.

However, it has been suggested that KIIS are 'likely' to give Will McMahon and Woody Whitelaw, who currently host the network's national drive show, the Melbourne breakfast slot.

Sophie Monk had also previously been earmarked as a contender to take the chair beside Sandilands, which now seems unlikely given the shock jock's departure.

However another name that has been thrown into the mix is Mitch Churi, who was axed from KIIS FM in December 2024 after a decade with the station. 

Churi certainly knows the KIIS ropes, having also frequently filled in for Sandilands on The Kyle & Jackie O Show.

One Aussie celeb put forward as 'an outside chance' is comedian Jim Jeffries, with one insider revealing to The Daily Telegraph that his name had 'definitely been mentioned'. 

Virgin Radio Dubai star Kris Fade has also confirmed he is in talks with ARN about potentially replacing the axed Kyle and Jackie O breakfast show.