Jack Charles, Dr Chris Brown and Amy Gerard tipped to replace Kyle and Jackie O as KIIS bosses prepare for a new era of breakfast radio

The race to fill Australia’s biggest breakfast radio vacancy is heating up.

After months of speculation about who could possibly replace fallen radio duo Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson, a surprising new trio has emerged as the frontrunner to take over KIIS FM’s lucrative breakfast slot.

Industry sources claim Nova’s Jack Charles, television personality Dr Chris Brown and KIIS regular Amy Gerard are being lined up as the network’s next breakfast team.

The reported lineup would represent a dramatic departure from the controversial formula that made the Kyle & Jackie O show a ratings powerhouse for more than two decades.

According to news.com.au, Charles is all but confirmed for the role after announcing his shock departure from Nova this week following an 11-year stint with the network.

Fans were left stunned when the radio star revealed on-air that he would be leaving The Chrissie Swan Show, describing the move as an opportunity to pursue a ‘new challenge’.

However, the biggest surprise is the reported involvement of Dr Chris Brown.

The former Bondi Vet star has repeatedly been linked to the breakfast radio gig in recent months and speculation reached fever pitch when Kyle Sandilands himself appeared to suggest the television favourite had already been signed by ARN.

Brown later attempted to shut down the reports during a radio interview, insisting the rumours were ‘not true’.

But many industry observers noted the denial stopped well short of completely ending the speculation.

Also tipped to join the lineup is influencer and KIIS personality Amy Gerard, who has become a familiar voice for listeners after a series of guest-hosting appearances this year.

Gerard has impressed network executives during her extended stint behind the microphone and is reportedly viewed as a strong fit for a younger audience demographic.

The proposed trio would mark a significant reset for KIIS following the dramatic collapse of its biggest radio franchise earlier this year. 

Meanwhile, it was revealed this week that radio star Ash London will be joining fashion personality Elliot Garnaut to take over KIIS FM breakfast in Melbourne.

In a move that has been described as a return to ARN’s local roots, the Sydney and Melbourne shows will go back to being two separate entities.

It follows the failed experiment that was handing both slots to Sydney-based Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson, whose arrival in the Melbourne market in 2024 was plagued by ratings woes.

Speaking to investors last month, ARN chief executive Michael Stephenson revealed the company had spent months developing fresh talent and new programming, while stressing the network would not rush decisions on its next generation of stars.

‘Very rarely do you get the opportunity to reset your talent base,’ Stephenson said at the time.

The network has teased a complete overhaul of their programming, sharing a post on social media last week teasing new horizons.

Alongside an image of several people’s silhouettes, the network wrote: ‘A new era is coming’.

The development comes after an emotional Sandilands revealed he was left in tears after learning his former co-host Henderson had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

As Henderson battles her former employer in a lawsuit seeking $82million in damages, her PTSD diagnosis was referenced in a medical report prepared by Dr Jonathan Phillips.

In a sworn statement, Henderson said she was ‘belittled’ and ‘humiliated’ by her ‘unpredictable and erratic’ former KIIS FM co-host Sandilands.

Henderson’s KIIS FM contract was abruptly terminated in March after a high-profile on-air argument between her and Sandilands.

Sandilands settled his own termination dispute with ARN for $12.09million in June.