VERY surprising radio star CONFIRMS he is in talks with ARN to replace Kyle and Jackie O on KIIS FM
Virgin Radio Dubai star Kris Fade has confirmed he is in talks with ARN about potentially replacing the axed Kyle and Jackie O breakfast show.
Speaking on the GameChangers podcast, co-host Craig Bruce revealed he had spoken with Fade at Radio Days Toronto, where he directly addressed rumours linking him to the high-profile opening.
Fade admitted he ‘had a conversation with ARN’, adding that it was still in the discussion stage and ‘nothing on the table in terms of a specific offer.’
Bruce — a well-known radio executive and commentator — also backed Fade’s long-term potential in the Australian market, saying he had ‘never been so convinced of another human being’s potential as this man.’
Fade is already familiar to Australian audiences and ARN’s KIIS FM network, having previously fronted syndicated programming across the country.
In 2018, KIIS FM launched The Kris Fade Show Around Australia, a nationally broadcast Sunday program that ran for several years.
Virgin Radio Dubai star Kris Fade (pictured) has confirmed he is in talks with ARN about potentially replacing the axed Kyle and Jackie O breakfast show
Although Fade no longer holds a permanent Australian slot, he has maintained visibility through regular spots on podcasts and a strong social media presence.
Outside radio, Fade has built a significant entertainment presence in the Middle East, with his appearances on the Netflix reality series Dubai Bling.
His public profile has also expanded into commercial partnerships and tourism campaigns, further boosting his international appeal.
He was even honoured with a wax figure at Madame Tussauds Dubai — underlining his celebrity status in the region.
There has been industry speculation for some time now that Fade was being prepped for the plum breakfast role.
Last month, there was fresh chatter that a massive name in radio may take over the slot left behind by the cancellation of The Kyle and Jackie O Show on KIIS FM.
Industry rumours are rife that Fade, who hosts his hugely successful breakfast show in Dubai, could be tempted over to ARN if he’s offered a big enough pay packet.
The 46-year-old Lebanese-Australian boasts a slew of Hollywood heavyweights as his close personal friends.
Speaking on the GameChangers podcast, co-host Craig Bruce revealed he had spoken with Fade at Radio Days Toronto, where he directly addressed rumours linking him to the high-profile opening
Last month, there was fresh chatter that a massive name in radio may take over the slot left behind by the cancellation of The Kyle and Jackie O Show on KIIS FM. Jackie ‘O’ Henderson and Kyle Sandilands are pictured
‘Kris Fade is the biggest name in entertainment in Dubai,’ a source told nine.com.au.
‘He’s interviewed all the biggest names in Hollywood – Kim Kardashian, Will Smith… Smith actually helped him propose to his wife,’ they continued.
There are a few hitches – Fade and his family ‘are in the process of building their forever home in Dubai from the ground up’ and the radio star would need a serious financial incentive to return to Australia after basing himself in the UAE.
Kristian ‘Kris’ Fade is the brother of Gogglebox star Matty Fahd and made his reality TV debut on the Netflix series, Dubai Bling.
Meanwhile, it’s possible that Fade’s competition could come in the form of Kyle Sandilands himself, with chatter also rife that the shock jock could be back on air in just weeks.
The radio star is reportedly preparing to reclaim his throne at KIIS FM – but without former co-star Jackie ‘O’ Henderson.
Sandilands is reportedly in talks with ARN to return to his breakfast show as his $100 million lawsuit inches towards a settlement.
Kyle and Jackie O Show star returns to host KIIS FM breakfast slot – but some listeners aren’t pleased
A familiar face is returning to the breakfast slot at KIIS FM.
Jaimee Blazquez, nicknamed ‘Mayo’, was a senior producer on The Kyle and Jackie O Show before its cancellation, and will fill in on the show from Monday.
‘It’s time to announce the next fill-in host on KIIS… Following in the footsteps of Georgie Tunny and Abbie Chatfield will be our very own producer Mayo (who’s been missing on maternity leave!),’ an announcement on Instagram read.
‘Mayo (or Jaimee as her parents call her) will be joining Brooklyn, Mike E, Nat and the whole crew on KIIS from Monday morning at 6am.’
Blazquez worked closely with Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson before the cancellation of their top-rated show earlier this year.
Not everyone was pleased with Mayo’s appointment, with one person in the comments section writing, ‘Love the team but we need the leaders back.’
A familiar face is returning to the breakfast slot at KIIS FM. Jaimee Blazquez (pictured), nicknamed ‘Mayo’, was a senior producer on The Kyle and Jackie O Show before its cancellation, and will fill in on the show from Monday
‘It’s time to announce the next fill-in host on KIIS… Following in the footsteps of Georgie Tunny and Abbie Chatfield will be our very own producer Mayo (who’s been missing on maternity leave!),’ an announcement on Instagram read. Pictured with Jackie ‘O’ Henderson
Another said: ‘It’s lovely to have Mayo back but truly miss Kyle and Jackie. Their chemistry is unmatchable and let’s not forget that.’
‘Love that Mayo is getting a go. Still missing the OG’s though,’ someone else wrote.
Others were happy to hear the news, with one person writing, ‘OMG best news ever! I will be listening! I haven’t listened since the big bust up!’
A permanent team to take over from the radio titans, who are locked in a court battle with their former employers, is yet to be selected.
One of the names thrown in the ring is Abbie Chatfield, who recently completed a two-week stint at the helm.
However, the 30-year-old podcaster won’t permanently join the station, The Daily Telegraph claimed.
The publication alleged that the ‘Australian Radio Network (ARN) Board refuses to back the controversial podcaster for the coveted KIIS FM breakfast gig.’
Chatfield’s headline-grabbing career may have factored into the decision, including her recent high-profile defamation lawsuit, the report claims.
A permanent team to take over from the radio titans, who are locked in a court battle with their former employers, is yet to be selected. Pictured right: Kyle Sandilands
She has reportedly been forced to pay Harrison Boon a ‘five-figure’ sum following the Married At First Sight star’s defamation claim.
However, Chatfield has specified that she had no plans to work at KIIS beyond the pre-planned two week run.
Abbie was welcomed into the KIIS family with open arms last month.
She was embraced on set by Pete Deppeler, nicknamed Intern Pete, a producer, reporter and occasional on-air talent who worked with Sandilands and Henderson for years.
In photos and video shared on Instagram, Abbie and Pete cuddled and laughed together during a segment.
Abbie proved that she fitted right in with the talent and staff at the radio network, which has in recent months been embroiled in controversy after the departure of Kyle and Jackie.
Meanwhile, KIIS FM has remained tight-lipped about potential replacement plans amid its ongoing legal battle over unfair dismissal claims by Kyle and Jackie.
However, sources told news.com.au that talks with prospective replacements are already ‘well underway’.
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RADIO WAR! Dubai Millionaire Kris Fade Set to REPL ACE Kyle & Jackie O — But Will Kyle SNATCH His Throne Back First?
One of radio’s biggest stars with a slew of Hollywood pals ‘set to take on’ Kyle and Jackie O’s breakfast slot
There is fresh chatter that a massive name in radio may take over the slot left behind by the cancellation of The Kyle and Jackie O Show on KIIS FM.
Industry rumours are rife that Virgin radio host Kris Fade, who hosts his hugely successful breakfast show, The Kris Fade Show, in Dubai, could be tempted over to ARN if he’s offered a big enough pay packet.
The 46-year-old Lebanese-Australian boasts a slew of Hollywood heavyweights as his close personal friends.
‘Kris Fade is the biggest name in entertainment in Dubai,’ a source told nine.com.au.
‘He’s interviewed all the biggest names in Hollywood – Kim Kardashian, Will Smith… Smith actually helped him propose to his wife,’ they continued.
There are a few hitches – Fade and his family ‘are in the process of building their forever home in Dubai from the ground up’ and the radio star would need a serious
financial incentive to return to Australia after basing himself in the UAE.
‘He’d have to be offered a huge amount of money – we’re talking millions a year – to leave Dubai which he has called his home for so many years,’ the source said.
Kristan ‘Kris Fade’ is the brother of Gogglebox star Matty Fahd and made his reality TV debut on the Netflix series, Dubai Bling.
Meanwhile, it’s possible that Fade’s competition could come in the form of Kyle Sandilands himself, with chatter also rife that the shock jock could be back on air in just weeks.
The radio star is reportedly preparing to reclaim his throne at KIIS FM – but without former Kyle and Jackie O Show co-star Jackie ‘O’ Henderson.
Sandilands is reportedly in talks with ARN to return to his breakfast show as his $100 million lawsuit inches towards a settlement.
‘It will all be wrapped up soon. It will end up just sorting itself out, and it will take two to three weeks max,’ the source tells news.com.au.
The source adds that Kyle, ‘would go back’ to his show and has ‘no hard feelings’ about the headline-making bust-up with Jackie that saw him ousted from his top-rated show.
‘It is just business’ to Sandilands, 54, the source alleged; however, it’s unknown if he will accept less than the $10 million-a-year deal he was on before the show’s collapse.
It comes days after claims that Sandilands is open to a settlement with ARN as court dates loom for both him and former co-host Henderson.
A source told news.com.au that Sandilands is eager to avoid a drawn-out trial and would consider a ‘reasonable’ offer from his former employer.
‘If there was a reasonable figure that made him feel like he didn’t get totally f***ed over… yeah,’ the source said.
‘He is a righteous guy, and he could just go, “Let’s take this to the end”, but no one loves the idea of court.’
The source added that beyond the prospect of a lengthy court battle, Sandilands was ‘not interested’ in hearing any more ‘unflattering’ claims about him – such as those contained in Henderson’s recent statement of claim.
They suggested that the financial burden the court action could impose could also influence a decision to resolve the matter quickly.
‘Kyle and Jackie are playing with their own money here,’ the source said.
The publication also claimed that Sandilands could be open to returning to his old KIIS FM breakfast timeslot if a deal could be reached with ARN.