“Your beautiful words mean the world.” Jackie O thanks radio listeners for their support

A day after Jackie O Henderson’s harrowing on-air revelation about her private battle with addiction, the KIIS FM radio host has thanked the listeners and fans who’ve reached out with messages of support.

On Instagram, Henderson says “Your beautiful words truly mean the world to me. I’m taking the weekend to go through each one and respond as best as I can.”

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Henderson broke down in tears on The Kyle & Jackie O Show yesterday as she read a passage from her upcoming memoir about her use of painkillers, sleeping pills and alcohol during an addiction battle lasting three years, which ended with a month-long stay at a rehab centre in late 2022.

She said that whilst she was concerned about public judgement, she was keen to use her platform to help others in the same position.

“I’m not crying because I’m ashamed, I’m just crying because I kept this in for so long and saying it out loud right now to everyone is scary in a way.”

Craig Bruce – former SCA Head of Programming and co-host of the Game Changers Radio: Melbourne Radio Wars podcast – says Henderson’s wellbeing is what matters most.

“I’m just really pleased that she’s OK,” Bruce tells Radio Today. “I can’t imagine how difficult that period must have been for her and on a basic human level it was very difficult to hear her talking with such fragility about this chapter in her life.”

“I hope this might help others who are struggling with addiction find the strength they need to deal with their challenges.”

As for the possible impact in terms of Kyle & Jackie O’s new radio audience in Melbourne, Bruce says “I haven’t really thought too much about the radio implications, to be honest. I’m not sure that a single moment like this, however powerful it might have been, will suddenly change the fortunes of the show in Melbourne.”

“I wish Jackie all the best. The fact that she’s now healthy and strong is all that really matters right now. We can worry about the ratings later.”

As the co-host of one of Australia‘s highest-profile radio shows, Henderson’s on-air revelation is likely to have a positive effect, according to Dr Robert Stirling, CEO of the Network of Alcohol and other Drugs Agencies.

Stirling says Henderson should be commended for her bravery.

“Seeking assistance for problematic drug and alcohol use is a courageous decision,” Stirling told 9NEWS.

“It is a positive thing for people with a high profile to speak up about their alcohol or drug use.”

“It sends the message that these issues can and do touch many of us.”