Exclusive: “I haven’t spoken to them yet about it, so I’ll probably give them a call later.”
Pete Deppeler was nothing if not honest when nine.com.au asked how his famous former bosses Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson felt about his career move.
Deppeler, known to millions as ‘Intern Pete’, was a beloved fixture on The Kyle and Jackie O Show for 12 years. But after the show abruptly ended this year, Pete confirmed on Monday he’s jumping ship to The Christian O’Connell Show on ARN’s Gold network.
“It just hit me. I think 12.5 years is such a long time and a long journey,” Pete said of his announcement. “I went to jelly as soon as it happened live on-air.”
Watch the video above.
Reflecting on his 12-year stint, Pete says he is walking away with a lifetime of memories.
Having been there since the very first day of KIIS FM, he credits the breakfast show for taking him around the world and giving him a front-row seat to radio history.
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He attended some of the world’s biggest red carpets, interviewed a string of A-list stars and became an unforgettable personality on the show itself.
“It was insane. I went to South Africa, Dubai, America, New York, LA,” he recalled. “You know, all these incredible opportunities that took me around the world… “
When asked for his favourite memory, one in particular stood out.
“I think it was Kyle’s birthday. I just jumped on a plane, jumped out of a box, surprised him, took him around a little tour around LA, which he did not want.
“And launching KIIS itself and being there from the beginning… it was just amazing.”
Sandilands has long been a mentor to Deppeler, who was quick to credit both the radio titan and Henderson for his success.
“To be fair, it really was both of them because they both gave me incredible opportunities, they’re always so loyal, loyal to me,” he said.
He added that there was also a “strong bond” between the duo and his mother, who sadly passed away in 2021 after a battle with cancer.
“They both knew my mother really well… always a strong bond,” he said.
“I absolutely enjoyed my time on the show.”
So what was the biggest lesson he’s learned during his time on The Kyle and Jackie O Show?
“If you’re thinking about it, you can do it. Any idea you have, especially as a producer, you can start with the most ridiculous, and then it’s like… absolutely, we’re going to the moon,” he said with a laugh.
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“As long as you start there – you don’t need to land there all the time, but as long as you’ve explored the opportunity to do that, you’re good to go.”
With his new role as Senior Content Integration Producer & On-Air Contributor at ARN’s Gold network, he says he’s excited for the career change and to get ideas flowing.
“I need the stimulation for that as well!” he said.
Pete starts in his new role on May 25.
“Pete is one of the most genuinely loved voices in Australian breakfast radio, and he’s chosen this as his next chapter,” O’Connell said about the move in a statement.
“He’s an extraordinary talent who’s ready to evolve, and I couldn’t be prouder that he’s chosen the Bright Side of the Dial to do it on.”
It comes amid Sandilands and Henderson’s respective legal battles against ARN.
The stars are both suing their former employer for wrongful termination.
Shock jock Sandilands is suing for $85 million over his $100 million contract, while Jackie filed an $82.25 million lawsuit against ARN.
More recently, Sandilands teased a “new project” amid his legal battle, with many suspecting a podcast could be in the works.
Jackie O’ Henderson’s career in photos
Sandilands’ contract was terminated following a now infamous on-air clash with Jackie O on February 20, after she read from Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s astrology birth chart.
ARN Media disputes Henderson and Sandilands’ claims and will defend against the suit in court. ARN is also counter-suing the duo.
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