For the better part of two decades, Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson ruled the airwaves with their hit FM radio show, the Kyle and Jackie O Show.

So, when the news broke that the show would be taken off the air effective immediately, it was welcomed by many.

KIIS parent company ARN Media confirmed the news in an announcement that came after an on-air disagreement.

According to the statement, Jackie Henderson told the network she "cannot continue to work with Mr Kyle Sandilands." ARN Media said her contract was terminated, meaning she would stop presenting the KIIS breakfast show effective immediately. ARN offered her the possibility of an alternative program on the network.

ARN gave Sandilands written notice alleging that his behaviour during the show on February 20 constituted "serious misconduct" and gave him 14 days to remedy the breach.

As people dissect every facet of the show, many loyal listeners say they feel unexpectedly bereft.

Watch: Mamamia Out Loud hosts unpacks the on-air fallout that ended Kyle and Jackie O. Post continues below.

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The on-air fight that ended Kyle & Jackie O | Mamamia Out Loud

Vanessa, a dedicated listener from Victoria, told Mamamia that what she feels is akin to grief.

"I still can't quite believe the Kyle and Jackie O Show is over, or how much it's affected my mood in recent days," she said.

"It's almost like grief every day thinking, 'Oh my God, I can't believe they're never coming back.' It's become part of my routine. I listened to the podcast every single day, which took up a good couple of hours."

Vanessa explained the show, however controversial, offered many listeners a sense of companionship.

"The show gave me something to look forward to every day, and a good laugh. I don't think you can underestimate that," she said.

"A lot of people have said that as a listener, you felt included — like you were part of something. The input from the producers made you feel like you knew the whole Kyle and Jackie team."

Kelly-Ann, a long-time listener from NSW, also said the show has become a fixture in her day-to-day life.

"At some point, they just became part of the everyday routine," she told Mamamia. "Whether I was driving somewhere, getting ready for the day, or just had the radio on in the background, they were always there.

"It never really felt like just a radio show; it felt like listening in on people you know having a conversation.

"For listeners, the show has always been about the chemistry between them, the humour, the banter with the team, and the feeling that you're listening to people who have shared so much life together.

"That familiarity is why people stay loyal to the show, because for a lot of us they've been a constant voice through different stages of our own lives.

"Seeing all the backlash lately has honestly surprised me."

Kyle Sandilands and Jackie "O" Henderson were on the air together for more than two decades. Image: Supplied.

Both Kelly-Ann and Vanessa are aware the show was divisive, especially in Vanessa's home state of Victoria, where, according to reports, it failed to resonate with Melburnians.

"They used to joke about gaining one listener at a time, and I think they actually were doing that," Vanessa said, adding that as a long-time ABC radio listener, she found the show "too much" at first.

"It completely grew on me, and I would listen to it every single day. I don't think I've missed an episode in maybe five years."

The appeal of Kyle Sandilands is often a mystery to those who find his "lavish lifestyle" and "grumpy" on-air persona grating. Vanessa has a theory as to why he resonates with so many.

"Kyle grew up poor in Brisbane. His reflections on his childhood, I think, endeared him to a lot of listeners like me," Vanessa said. "I could relate to so much of what he spoke about. It was hard to begrudge him his lavish lifestyle in recent years when he was so open about where he'd come from.

"I do think the majority of people who knock the show had only heard the most outrageous snippets. There's no question Kyle could go too far at times. But they didn't get to hear the heartwarming parts of the show, or the way they'd deliver news and pop culture in the most fun way possible. They did the best celebrity interviews and regular segments."

Listen: Radio host Kyle Sandilands issues first public statement since being suspended. Post continues below.

Kelly-Ann echoed Vanessa's take.

"I'll be the first to say that Kyle can be very sarcastic, and sometimes he absolutely leans into that big personality," she said.

"He says things a lot of people probably think but would never actually say out loud. That honesty is part of why the show feels unscripted and human. Not everything is polished or perfect, but that's also why people connect with it."

Vanessa is not blind to the friction that appears to have led to the show's sudden halt. Even so, Jackie's subsequent departure was difficult to digest.

"When [my boyfriend] said she was not coming back, I could not believe it. I don't think I ever anticipated that," Vanessa said. "Kyle and Jackie seem like genuine people who had a genuine friendship for the best part of 30 years. It's actually quite heartbreaking to see it all end this way, for those directly involved and listeners alike."

The show's future remains uncertain. According to the Sydney Morning Herald , the pair are on speaking terms again.

As the radio industry gossips about what will happen next, Vanessa remains in a state of hopeful limbo.

"I have my fingers crossed that it will all somehow be resolved, and they can bring back the most entertaining radio show Australia ever had," she said.

Feature image: Supplied.