‘It was like mum and dad splitting up’: Intern Pete breaks silence on Kyle & Jackie O collapse as he prepares for life after KIIS
The emotional fallout from the spectacular implosion of The Kyle and Jackie O Show has been laid bare by longtime producer and fan favourite Peter Deppeler, with the man better known as “Intern Pete” admitting the collapse of the breakfast radio giant left staff shocked, emotionally drained and fearing for their futures.
In a revealing and deeply personal interview with Robert McKnight on McKnight Tonight, now streaming on YouTube, Deppeler opened up about the final chaotic months inside the KIIS FM powerhouse, the uncertainty that followed the show’s axing, and why he believes the end of Australia’s most talked-about radio partnership still feels impossible to process.
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The interview came just hours after it was officially announced Deppeler would leave KIIS after more than 12 years to join The Christian O’Connell Show on ARN’s Gold network as a senior producer and roving reporter.
But while the move marks a fresh chapter for the veteran radio personality, much of the conversation centred on the extraordinary collapse of the program that had dominated Australian radio — and Deppeler’s struggle to come to terms with how suddenly it all ended.
‘It’s been the wildest time ever’
For Deppeler, the speed at which everything unravelled remains difficult to comprehend.
After the explosive on-air clash between Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson earlier this year, the once-unbreakable duo fractured publicly before the program was ultimately scrapped in March.
The former hosts are now embroiled in a reported $200 million legal war with ARN.
Speaking candidly to McKnight, Deppeler admitted the aftermath inside the KIIS camp was unlike anything he had experienced in his career.
“It’s just been the wildest time ever.”
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The longtime producer revealed the uncertainty surrounding the show’s future immediately created anxiety among staff members who suddenly found themselves unsure whether they would still have jobs.
“Of course, the first thing goes, where do I sit, right?”
“Do I have a job? I was definitely worried.”
Deppeler credited ARN for continuing to keep much of the team employed following the show’s cancellation, but acknowledged the emotional toll of watching the radio empire collapse around them.
“It’s been my family for almost 13 years.”
The moment he knew something was wrong
One of the most revealing parts of the interview came when Deppeler reflected on the now-infamous final argument between Sandilands and Henderson.
While public reports have detailed the explosive breakdown between the pair, Deppeler said there was one key moment that immediately made him realise this fight was different from every other previous blow-up.
“Normally there’s a storm out.”
“Normally someone leaves, slams the doors and goes home for the day.”
Instead, Deppeler said the show simply continued — creating an eerie feeling inside the studio.
“That was the difference for me because normally there’s an ending and there wasn’t an ending until the end of the show.”
Even then, Deppeler said he still believed the duo would eventually reunite.
“They’ve done this a million times before.”
As the legal battle escalated publicly in the weeks that followed, Deppeler admitted he began struggling mentally with the constant speculation and headlines surrounding the former hosts.
“Everything that’s coming in from every angle is just… it’s actually a little bit much for me mentally, to be fair.”
“I found it mentally hard to believe what was real and what wasn’t until the court stuff.”
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‘Like mum and dad splitting up’
When McKnight compared the collapse of the partnership to “mum and dad splitting up,” Deppeler immediately agreed.
“Yeah, that’s right. And that’s exactly what it is.”
The comment provided a rare glimpse into how deeply connected many of the behind-the-scenes staff had become to the show after more than a decade working together under the relentless pressure of breakfast radio.
Despite the extraordinary public fallout, Deppeler carefully avoided criticising either Sandilands or Henderson personally throughout the interview, instead repeatedly describing the entire situation as emotionally confusing.
What he did make clear, however, was the scale and intensity of working on the hugely successful breakfast juggernaut.
“That dopamine high is so high it got cut.”
Deppeler described the daily adrenaline rush of producing live radio at that level as unlike anything else in Australian media.
“You realise how big that show was.”
“I don’t think we’ll get another one in Australia in that lifetime.”
He revealed he had turned to exercise and personal wellbeing to help navigate the abrupt end of the show and the sudden disappearance of the intense routine he had lived for more than a decade.
“I threw myself into a lot of running, a lot of looking after myself during that time.”
Why Christian O’Connell was the right move
Amid the turmoil, Deppeler said one unexpected positive was the support he received from across the radio industry once news broke about the uncertainty surrounding the KIIS team.
“The phone calls came and it was a nice feeling.”
“It came from some different places I didn’t expect.”
Ultimately, Deppeler decided the next stage of his career would be alongside Christian O’Connell, who continues to expand his Gold breakfast program nationally across ARN’s network.
The move will see Deppeler transition from KIIS to Gold while remaining within the ARN family.
He said O’Connell’s creativity, support and approach to radio made the decision an easy one.
“Christian is so supportive.”
“This industry is too good not to actually be a part of it.”
“Now I get to be a part of it with him and this awesome team.”
Still, Deppeler admitted he feels genuine nerves about walking into a completely new environment after spending almost his entire radio career with one team.
“I’m the new kid… sorry, I’m in my 40s.”
“I’m so nervous, but that’s coming from a place of like, ‘Let’s go get it.’”
What happens next for KIIS
Deppeler’s departure marks another significant shift for ARN as it continues rebuilding its breakfast strategy following the dramatic demise of The Kyle and Jackie O Show.
Since March, KIIS breakfast has operated with a rotating lineup of presenters and contributors while management attempts to reshape the station’s future.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the network, Deppeler hinted major changes are already being developed behind the scenes.
“I’ve had a little sneaky peaky of what the new ARN management have got coming up and it’s bloody exciting.”
“There is some really exciting things coming down the pipeline.”
As for Deppeler himself, he said he is embracing the chance to evolve beyond the “Intern Pete” character audiences have known for years — even if the nickname is likely to follow him for a while yet.
And after months of chaos, uncertainty and heartbreak, the veteran radio personality appears ready to begin again.
Peter Deppeler will finish on KIIS FM on Friday, May 22, before joining The Christian O’Connell Show on ARN’s Gold network from Monday, May 25.
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