Jackie ‘O’ Henderson has been forced to confront a report that she ‘stole’ Ada Nicodemou’s job after her own mother asked her about the rumours.
Henderson, 49, admitted on Tuesday’s Kyle and Jackie O Show that her mother Julie sent her a New Idea article claiming Jackie had stolen Ada’s work on Stranded on Honeymoon Island and asked her if it was true.
“I’m completely unaware of that story,” Jackie said, adding, “To be honest, I don’t even know if they have that story right.”
Jackie admitted that Nicodemou had presented the show, for which Henderson would provide the voiceover, at last year’s Seven ‘Upfronts’.
“And because she presented that, I mean, she’s a Seven personality, they assumed that then she would host that show or narrate that show.” Jackie said, although she maintained that was not the case.
Jackie ‘O’ Henderson has been forced to confront a report that she ‘stole’ Ada Nicodemou’s job after her own mother asked her about the rumours. Photographed this month
“I don’t think they understood the story at all,” the radio star insisted.
Co-host Kyle Sandilands, 52, agreed with Jackie, adding that Ada “wasn’t even in the running for (the position).”
She then joked that the network wouldn’t dare ‘get someone who left her husband’ and was ‘floating’ with men to headline the series, an apparent reference to Ada’s 2023 split from her partner Adam Rigby and subsequent romance with his co-star. James Stewart.
It comes after Channel Seven’s decision to cast Henderson as the narrator of its new dating series Stranded on Honeymoon Island sparked controversy.
Henderson, 49, admitted on Tuesday’s Kyle and Jackie O Show that her mother Julie sent her a New Idea article claiming Jackie had stolen Ada’s work on Stranded on Honeymoon Island and asked her if it was true. In the photo: Nicodemu
Dubbed ‘Married at First Sight on the Beach’, the show was expected to be fronted by Home and Away star Ada Nicodemou, who unveiled a first look at the show during Channel Seven’s 2024 content launch last October.
According to this week’s report New IdeaIndustry sources were surprised by the decision to cast Jackie in the role.
Ada, 47, gave a rousing speech at the inauguration, which many believed indicated her involvement.
‘If you’re bad at relationships and can’t even make it to the second date, much less find the love of your life, what do you do? Well, I have a show for you… Stranded on Honeymoon Island,’ Ada said excitedly to the audience.
Channel Seven’s decision to cast Jackie as the narrator of its new dating series, Stranded on Honeymoon Island, has sparked controversy
Dubbed ‘Married at First Sight on the Beach’, the show was expected to be fronted by Home and Away star Nicodemou, who unveiled a first look at the show during Channel Seven’s 2024 content launch last October.
Having been a beloved member of the Seven family for over 24 years, Ada seemed like the natural choice for the job.
“This appointment generated many surprises,” a source told the publication.
“While there’s no doubt that Jackie is the perfect fit to narrate a show like this, there is a feeling that Seven should have looked internally for someone who has been loyal to the network, such as a Home and Away star like Ada or Emily Weir .’
According to this week’s New Idea, industry sources were surprised by the decision to cast Jackie in the role.
Since the network opted for Jackie, especially after her last stint on a reality show with Network 10’s The Masked Singer faced challenges, it has left many baffled.
A source close to the situation suggested the decision could be driven by business strategy.
“It’s a good business idea for Seven to hire Jackie for Honeymoon Island,” the source explained.
‘Seven bosses probably know that shows like MAFS get a lot of airtime on KIIS airwaves and were smart to secure Kyle for Australian Idol where he was able to increase his share. Now they have Jackie to ensure that Honeymoon Island is a ratings success.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Seven for comment.
