‘If that bursts, I die instantly': Radio star’s shock health crisis unfolds live on air
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Health scares can be unexpected, but when they unfold in real-time, they leave audiences in shock.
What started as a routine broadcast quickly turned into a deeply personal revelation from one of Australia’s most recognisable voices.
What followed was a candid admission that has left fans reeling and raised serious questions about the impact of past choices.
Sydney radio host Kyle Sandilands, 53, announced on 2 February that he was set to undergo emergency brain surgery after being diagnosed with an aneurysm.
‘On Friday, I was told by my medical team, which sounds like I’m already very sick—to have a medical team—that I have a brain aneurysm and it requires immediate attention, brain surgery,’ he told listeners.
Sandilands had been absent from his show on 31 January and explained that he sought medical advice after experiencing severe headaches.
‘If that bursts, I die instantly,’ he said.
He expected to take eight weeks off from The Kyle and Jackie O Show.
He shared: ‘My wife, every time I look at her, her eyes well up with tears. She is already counting down the days.’
Sandilands reflected on his past lifestyle, attributing it to his health issues.
‘The facts are a life of cocaine abuse and partying are not the way to go,’ he admitted.
He and co-host Jackie ‘O’ Henderson have been on air together for two decades.
‘If you just tuned in to us after all these years, lap it up. And if you’re in Melbourne...you’re coming to the party too late. You may get your wish. I may be dead,’ he joked.
This wasn’t his first health scare—earlier in 2024, the 52-year-old took a nasty fall down the stairs, forcing The Kyle and Jackie O Showto air a pre-recorded episode the next morning.
He shared: ‘We had to run a pre-done show because I fell from the top of my internal staircase and rolled and rattled and bumped all the way to the bottom and was left splayed out like a Christmas dinner.’
‘And no-one was home, so I’m like, “Help”.’
At the time, his wife Tegan, their baby son Otto, and their nanny were all away for the night.
The accident happened as he went down his ‘big, wide marble staircase’ in the dark.
‘My foot just went and I just went to the bottom of the floor,’ he said.
Alone and unable to get up immediately, Sandilands feared the worst.
‘I was so injured, I thought, “That’s it for me, this is the beginning of the end.”’
His co-host Brooklyn Ross quipped: ‘Well, all the health problems begin after the fall,’ while Henderson agreed.
Fortunately, he managed to get up without any major injuries.
‘But it rattled me a bit,’ he admitted.
Sandilands has also been in the spotlight for his noticeable weight loss, sparking speculation that he was using the diabetic appetite suppressant Ozempic.
‘I don’t care, but I just wish people would know that if I was (on it), I’d just say it at this point,’ he said.
‘There’s nothing stopping me from saying it and I would say it, but I can’t convince people otherwise.’
He dismissed the rumours, attributing his slimmer appearance to healthier eating habits and cutting back on bread and Coca-Cola.
‘You always come back from the (Christmas) break a little bit skinnier because you’ve been healthier... You’re less into the 12 coffees,’ Henderson noted.
Sandilands credited his wife Tegan for keeping his diet in check.
‘I go, “Can you bring me a chocolate Paddle Pop?” and a salad shows up,’ he shared.
Sandilands’ revelation about his health wasn’t the only headline-grabbing moment in recent months.
The outspoken radio host also found himself at the centre of controversy after a heated on-air exchange took an unexpected turn.
Sandilands made headlines for a fiery exchange on John Laws’ 2SM radio show.
During what was meant to be a celebratory discussion between radio veterans, tensions flared when fellow host Ben Fordham took a jab at Sandilands’ take on the US election.
‘Of all the experts on American politics, what an honour for John Laws to have Kyle Sandilands commenting on it this morning,’ Fordham said sarcastically.
Sandilands, never one to hold back, fired back with a warning.
‘I’ll throw this water in your face, bitch. I don’t care who you think you are.’
True to his word, he launched a glass of water at Fordham, leaving the studio in shock.
The moment added to Sandilands’ long list of controversial outbursts, coming just before his unexpected health battle took centre stage.
Watch Kyle’s full statement about his surgery below.
With Kyle Sandilands facing such a serious health challenge, it’s clear how important support can be during tough times. How do you think his fans can best show their well wishes during this difficult journey?
Share your thoughts in the comments.
What started as a routine broadcast quickly turned into a deeply personal revelation from one of Australia’s most recognisable voices.
What followed was a candid admission that has left fans reeling and raised serious questions about the impact of past choices.
Sydney radio host Kyle Sandilands, 53, announced on 2 February that he was set to undergo emergency brain surgery after being diagnosed with an aneurysm.
‘On Friday, I was told by my medical team, which sounds like I’m already very sick—to have a medical team—that I have a brain aneurysm and it requires immediate attention, brain surgery,’ he told listeners.
Sandilands had been absent from his show on 31 January and explained that he sought medical advice after experiencing severe headaches.
Kyle Sandilands announces emergency brain surgery after aneurysm diagnosis. Image source: Instagram/kyleandjackieo
‘If that bursts, I die instantly,’ he said.
He expected to take eight weeks off from The Kyle and Jackie O Show.
He shared: ‘My wife, every time I look at her, her eyes well up with tears. She is already counting down the days.’
Sandilands reflected on his past lifestyle, attributing it to his health issues.
‘The facts are a life of cocaine abuse and partying are not the way to go,’ he admitted.
He and co-host Jackie ‘O’ Henderson have been on air together for two decades.
‘If you just tuned in to us after all these years, lap it up. And if you’re in Melbourne...you’re coming to the party too late. You may get your wish. I may be dead,’ he joked.
This wasn’t his first health scare—earlier in 2024, the 52-year-old took a nasty fall down the stairs, forcing The Kyle and Jackie O Showto air a pre-recorded episode the next morning.
He shared: ‘We had to run a pre-done show because I fell from the top of my internal staircase and rolled and rattled and bumped all the way to the bottom and was left splayed out like a Christmas dinner.’
‘And no-one was home, so I’m like, “Help”.’
At the time, his wife Tegan, their baby son Otto, and their nanny were all away for the night.
The accident happened as he went down his ‘big, wide marble staircase’ in the dark.
‘My foot just went and I just went to the bottom of the floor,’ he said.
Alone and unable to get up immediately, Sandilands feared the worst.
‘I was so injured, I thought, “That’s it for me, this is the beginning of the end.”’
Kyle Sandilands recalls fall, forced to air a pre-recorded show. Image source: Instagram/kyleandjackieo
His co-host Brooklyn Ross quipped: ‘Well, all the health problems begin after the fall,’ while Henderson agreed.
Fortunately, he managed to get up without any major injuries.
‘But it rattled me a bit,’ he admitted.
Sandilands has also been in the spotlight for his noticeable weight loss, sparking speculation that he was using the diabetic appetite suppressant Ozempic.
‘I don’t care, but I just wish people would know that if I was (on it), I’d just say it at this point,’ he said.
‘There’s nothing stopping me from saying it and I would say it, but I can’t convince people otherwise.’
He dismissed the rumours, attributing his slimmer appearance to healthier eating habits and cutting back on bread and Coca-Cola.
‘You always come back from the (Christmas) break a little bit skinnier because you’ve been healthier... You’re less into the 12 coffees,’ Henderson noted.
Sandilands credited his wife Tegan for keeping his diet in check.
‘I go, “Can you bring me a chocolate Paddle Pop?” and a salad shows up,’ he shared.
Sandilands’ revelation about his health wasn’t the only headline-grabbing moment in recent months.
The outspoken radio host also found himself at the centre of controversy after a heated on-air exchange took an unexpected turn.
Sandilands made headlines for a fiery exchange on John Laws’ 2SM radio show.
During what was meant to be a celebratory discussion between radio veterans, tensions flared when fellow host Ben Fordham took a jab at Sandilands’ take on the US election.
‘Of all the experts on American politics, what an honour for John Laws to have Kyle Sandilands commenting on it this morning,’ Fordham said sarcastically.
‘I’ll throw this water in your face, bitch. I don’t care who you think you are.’
True to his word, he launched a glass of water at Fordham, leaving the studio in shock.
The moment added to Sandilands’ long list of controversial outbursts, coming just before his unexpected health battle took centre stage.
With Kyle Sandilands facing such a serious health challenge, it’s clear how important support can be during tough times. How do you think his fans can best show their well wishes during this difficult journey?
Share your thoughts in the comments.
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