Jackie O tearfully reveals passing of KIIS content director’s son

Radio heavyweights have shown support after the recent and tragic loss of four-year-old Tate Bargwanna, son of KIIS FM content director Derek Bargwanna and Macquarie Media’s Belinda Bargwanna.

Jackie ‘O’ Henderson fought back tears on-air this morning as she acknowledged Tate’s passing. With Kyle off sick, she was joined by Beau Ryan and revealed how difficult a time it had been for the close team at ARN.

“Over the last week or so we’ve been going through something behind the scenes that’s been really difficult for all of us to deal with,” she said, her voice cracking.

“I’m sorry if on days we’ve been a little flat… Our boss, DB, who we’re extremely close with…

“He’s a dad now and just a little while ago his four-year-old son, Tate, died in his sleep and it was completely unexpected and we don’t know why.”

Bargwanna has been behind the scenes of the Kyle and Jackie O show for about 18 years.

“We’ve tried every day to go on air and carry on because DB would never want us to take a day off, but it has been really traumatic for the whole team,” she said.

“We wanted to send our love to DB and his beautiful wife Belinda.

“It isn’t until it happens to someone you know and love dearly that you realise just how difficult that grief is and how it changes a family. To see that happen to someone we know and love so much has been really hard.

“On Saturday we had the funeral for little Tatey and I hope no one out there ever has to go to a child’s funeral because it really is the most unfair thing that you could go through.

Beau added his own respects. “It was one of the most overwhelming things i’ve ever been to in my life… the most beautiful as well.”

“People out there who have lost a child, they know what its like and how difficult it is to start that healing process,” Jackie continued.

“We hope now that is family can start that healing process, they have a long road ahead, but they have so much love and support around them… family and friends and everyone here at the station.”