Jackie O (radio host)
Jackie O | |
|---|---|
| Born | Jacqueline Ellen Last January 31, 1975 Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Radio and television presenter |
| Years active | –present |
| Known for | The Kyle and Jackie O Show, Big Brother Australia, The Masked Singer Australia |
Jacqueline Ellen Last (born 31 January 1975), widely recognized as Jackie O, is a prominent Australian presenter in both radio and television. She gained prominence through her roles on programs such as The Hot Hits Live from LA, Hot30 Countdown, Take 40 Australia, two seasons of Australian Princess, and the popular morning radio segment The Kyle and Jackie O Show alongside Kyle Sandilands.
Her television portfolio includes hosting the celebrity prank series Surprise Surprise Gotcha, appearing on the 2007 comedy program The Nation broadcast on the Nine Network, and co-hosting Big Brother with Sandilands following the departure of the original presenter.
On 1 November 2013, Jackie O and Kyle Sandilands publicly announced their exit from the lucrative breakfast show on 2Day FM, which was generating around AUD 30 million annually in advertising revenue. Shortly after, they disclosed their intention to join rival broadcaster ARN to launch a new program on KIIS 106.5, set to debut in 2014, featuring a nightly "Best Bits" segment syndicated across ARN’s network nationwide.
Radio career
In August 2013, Kyle and Jackie O transitioned from 2Day FM to KIIS 106.5FM. By March 2014, their breakfast show had more than doubled KIIS FM’s audience, establishing itself as Sydney’s leading FM program with 532,000 listeners, while 2Day FM saw a decline of 242,000 listeners during this period.
In 2018, Sandilands issued a challenge to Jackie O to compose and record a track within a single day; the resulting single titled "Honey Money," produced by KIIS FM’s Kian Oliver, topped the Australian iTunes chart and reached number 13 on the ARIA Digital Sales chart. Proceeds from the track were donated to Drought Angels, an organization aiding farmers impacted by drought. The song was subsequently removed due to copyright complications related to its artwork but was slated for a free re-release.
In November 2023, Kyle and Jackie O secured an unprecedented 10-year contract worth A$200 million in the Australian broadcasting market. Both hosts receive a base salary of $10 million each, alongside bonus stock options valued at $14 million. The agreement permits worldwide broadcasting opportunities and expands syndication into Melbourne, resulting in the termination of the Jase & Lauren program by the end of that year.
Television career
Jackie O has fronted various television productions, most notably the Popstars series, which involved televised auditions aimed at forming a vocal ensemble.
In June 2007, she became part of the ensemble cast for The Nation aired on the Nine Network, and also co-hosted the comedy hidden-camera show Surprise Surprise Gotcha, Australia’s adaptation of Punk'd. In October 2007, Jackie O and her radio co-host Kyle Sandilands took over hosting duties from Gretel Killeen for the 2008 season of Big Brother Australia. Despite their participation, declining ratings led Network Ten to cancel the series for 2009.
In 2019, Jackie O joined as a panellist on The Masked Singer Australia, sharing the panel with Dannii Minogue, Dave Hughes, and Lindsay Lohan. After three seasons, she stepped down to prioritize family commitments and was replaced by radio personality Chrissie Swan.
Personal life
During their time working together in radio, she was wed to her co-host Phil O'Neil. Following their separation, O'Neil relocated to the United Kingdom in the late 1990s. In 2003, she entered into marriage with Lee Henderson, a photographer based in the UK. The pair parted ways in October 2018.
In 2009, Zoo Magazine ranked Jackie O as the second most disliked celebrity in their yearly poll, a position she shared with her radio partner.
Jackie O has been candid about her challenges with weight management. Toward the end of 2019, she disclosed a notable increase in her weight and set a goal to shed it before the second season of The Masked Singer began filming. By 2020, she took on the role of a Weight Watchers ambassador and successfully lost 10 kilograms in 2021. Nevertheless, by 2022, she had regained the weight and stated that she was "done with dieting." Later that year, she stepped away from broadcasting due to complications from long COVID after contracting COVID-19 earlier in 2022. Returning in early 2023, she had lost 12 kg during her break by following a Weight Watchers regimen.
In October 2024, Jackie O revealed she had battled addiction to painkillers, sleeping aids, and alcohol over three years, at times consuming as many as 24 codeine tablets and 14 sleeping pills daily during her lowest moments. To address this, she voluntarily admitted herself to the Betty Ford Clinic in 2022 for treatment.
Discography
Singles
- "Honey Money" featuring Kian Oliver (2018)
External links
- Radio bottom feeders need intervention The Daily Telegraph – Michelle Cazzulino (30 July 2009)
- Fun – Kyle and Jackie O Style ABC 'Media Watch' (3 August 2009)
- Pages with script errors
- Articles with short description
- Articles with hCards
- No local image but image on Wikidata
- Big Brother (Australian TV series)
- 1975 births
- Living people
- Rock Eisteddfod Challenge participants
- Australian television actresses
- Radio personalities from Adelaide
- Australian music critics
- Australian women music critics
- Australian music journalists
- Australian women journalists
- Australian women radio presenters
- Australian women television presenters
- Australian game show hosts