A surprising detail has emerged following Jackie ‘O’ Henderson’s shocking admission about her secret drug and alcohol addiction.
The radio host, 49, made the tearful revelation that she secretly checked into the Betty Ford Clinic in November 2022, while speaking to her co-host Kyle Sandilands on their KIIS FM radio show on Thursday morning.
Jackie revealed that at the height of her addiction she was taking up to twelve Stilnox sleeping pills and 24 Panadeine Forte tablets every day, often with alcohol.
Despite their on-air partnership lasting 25 years, Jackie’s long-standing co-host Kyle remained in the dark about her addiction struggles.
As Jackie made her heartfelt confession, a shocked Kyle revealed he had ‘no idea’ of his co-host’s secret.
“You’re just so anti-drugs, that’s the shock of it, you’ve never been a party girl, you never have been,” he said.
In a heartfelt speech, Kyle added that he was “ashamed” that he didn’t see any sign of Jackie’s addiction.
‘I didn’t know you were a big drinker, I do know you like a glass of wine every now and then. “I’m ashamed that I sit here every day of my life and have no idea,” he said.
“I’m in shock, I’m in shock and I feel like a friend because I didn’t realize it,” he added.
A surprising detail has emerged following Jackie ‘O’ Henderson’s shocking confession about her secret drug and alcohol addiction on Thursday
Jackie admitted that only her mother, daughter Kitty, 13, and best friend Gemma O’Neil knew about her personal struggles.
“I just didn’t want anyone to know until I was sober for at least a year or more,” she said.
An empathetic Kyle responded, “I’m sorry you didn’t think you could share it sooner, but these things creep in anyway. Slowly, slowly.’
Kyle and Jackie O’s on-air partnership began in 1999 when Kyle replaced Jackie’s ex ‘Ugly’ Phil O’Neil as co-host of 2DayFM’s Hot30 Countdown.
Despite their on-air partnership lasting 25 years, Jackie’s long-standing co-host Kyle remained in the dark about her addiction struggles
As Jackie made her heartfelt confession, a shocked Kyle revealed he had ‘no idea’ of his co-host’s secret
Jackie revealed on Thursday how she was taking around 10 to 12 Stilnox/Zolpidem sleeping pills and 24 Panadeine Forte a day, taking them while drinking alcohol at the height of her addiction.
She entered the Betty Ford Clinic in California in November 2022 and took an extended break from The Kyle and Jackie O Show.
Kyle told listeners at the time that Jackie was taking a break to “focus on her health” after contracting Covid.
Jackie also revealed how she managed to secretly fly from Australia to Los Angeles in November 2022 to check into the famous Betty Ford Clinic, where Hollywood stars such as Lindsay Lohan and Keith Urban have lived.
Jackie said live on air that she was accompanied on the flight by her best friend Gemma and they decided to take a night flight for more privacy.
Jackie broke down as she finally revealed her secret on Thursday
Jackie read an excerpt from her memoir, The Whole Truth, describing her itinerary and how she managed to keep her addiction a secret for more than two years.
“I’m ready to head to the airport and catch this overnight flight. We board at the last possible moment and arrive late in the evening.
‘We pick up our rental car and head to Palm Springs. We are going to a small hotel there for two nights, but that is not my final destination.
“After our weekend in the Sonoran Desert, Gemma is going home and I’m not going with her. I’ll only continue if she checks out.’
Jackie then secretly checked into the Betty Ford Clinic for a 28-day stay to participate in a voluntary 12-step program to treat her drug addiction.