Radio host Kyle Sandilands has revealed that he was high on marijuana during Channel 9’s 60 Minutes episode last year which celebrated his and co-host Jackie O’s twenty-year work anniversary.
Sandiland told news.com.au that he was “off his head” during the 60 Minutes segment, and that host Karl Stefanovic was aware.
His co-host Jackie O told news.com.au that Sandilands arrived late to the interview and that as soon as he walked in, she could tell he was intoxicated.
The revelation comes eight months after the initial episode was broadcast in May 2020. It caused controversy after adverts from the show heavily implied Sandilands was going to reveal a major health battle.
A teaser for the episode showed Sandilands is crying while he said, “there is a condition I’ve been diagnosed with”. The voice-over asked, “is this loudmouth about to be silenced?”
Chaos, controversy and undeniable chemistry. @KyleandJackieO have ruled the Australian airwaves for 20 years. SUNDAY on #60Mins, how the King and Queen of radio have turned being outrageous into a hundred million dollar business. pic.twitter.com/k87KnPgqrd
— 60 Minutes Australia (@60Mins) May 20, 2020
In the episode, however, Jackie O asked Sandiland if he was joking, to which he replied yes and began laughing.
Journalists, including entertainment reporter Peter Ford and TV and radio journalist Derryn Hinch, as well as a number of viewers, criticised the choice on Twitter.
#60minutes. Anybody who has ever been diagnosed with terminal cancer, and had to tell loved ones, would not appreciate Kyle Sandiland’s ‘joke’ tonight.
— Derryn Hinch (@HumanHeadline) May 24, 2020
One thing for @kyleandjackieo to pull a prank about a life threatening illness. That’s on brand. Different thing for @60Mins to use it in a promo knowing they wouldn’t be delivering. That’s off brand.
— Peter Ford (@mrpford) May 24, 2020
Sandilands later broke down on radio after the episode aired as he shared his struggles with his mental health. He said he had initially planned to share these on 60 Minutes, but didn’t feel it was the right space to address them.
In the interview where he revealed he was stoned during the episode, Sandilands also said that he has felt, “for a long time [that] I’ve been carrying some sadness around.”
