'It does sadden me in many ways': Jackie O announces shock career move

Jackie O Henderson will be stepping away from the Besties venture she started with her best friend Gemma O'Neill, including their popular podcast Her Best Life.The radio host confirmed the news on the first episode of Besties for 2026, leaving fans devastated."Well, we have a little bit of an announcement," the pair said in unison before Henderson, 51, explained her departureShe said the decision to "step away from our beautiful venture" has been part of a "big shift that has happened with me", in reference to the inner work and self-examination she has been doing of late."It does sadden me in many ways, because I have loved and gotten so much out of what we have done together and shared together here, moreso because we are able to share that with a community of people."We get to talk about all the things that we have learnt and are passionate about and it's been so fulfilling on many levels, and obviously being able to work with you, my best friend, has been so amazing."Henderson said she chose to step away due to a sentiment she began to share in one of the pair's final episodes in 2025 – that she didn't feel she could do the podcast because she "wanted to protect a fair bit of [her] private life".READ MORE: Nicola Peltz's billionaire father Nelson Peltz speaks out amid feudREAD MORE: Abbie Chatfield's boyfriend says he's received death threatsREAD MORE: Aussies warned to stock up before popular produce disappearsAt the time, Henderson was dating someone new, but hesitated to share any details of her relationship and expressed feelings of guilt over this.It now appears that relationship has ended, with the broadcaster referring to herself as single in the latest episode and sharing plans to travel solo to India later this year to continue her spiritual journey."You were sharing so much and being so generous, and I felt like I was holding back on everything because I didn't feel like I wanted to share it. It didn't feel right for me at that time," she told O'Neill."We've spoken about a lot of subjects and topics that we've learnt about, and I think it was just getting to a point where I feel like I'd done that and it had been fulfilling but I felt like I was coming to the end of the road with it."O'Neill will continue to run Besties and host the podcast with revolving co-hosts.She will continue on KIIS' The Kyle & Jackie O Show; Henderson and co-host Kyle Sandilands are under contract with the Australian Radio Network (ARN) until December 2034.The launch of Besties, described as a lifestyle brand, was announced on July 18, 2023.As part of the launch, Henderson and O'Neill hosted an event featuring Gwyneth Paltrow in October 2023.Henderson's memoir The Whole Truth was released the following year in October 2024. In the book she chronicled her battle with addiction, which ended when she entered a rehabilitation program.The radio host wrote of the crucial role O'Neill played in her seeking treatment and they have further shared their highs and lows on the podcast, including discussions about health, ageing, dating, raising children and life in the public eye.Henderson shares daughter Kitty, 14, with ex-husband Lee Henderson, whom she was married to from 2003 until 2018.She hinted at a second book that will go deeper into her spiritual journey.O'Neill said she understands Henderson's choice to step away."I respect that there's part of you now that wants to be private. I think that personally that is the right decision," she said."I see your whole life ... you want to maybe have a little bit more that is just for you and not have to share, and I absolutely respect that and support you personally one hundred per cent."The pair considered ending the podcast altogether, but then decided Henderson "would hand the baton over"."I'm going to keep going because we feel like we love this community of women that we are very attached to," O'Neill said.Henderson admitted she grappled with leaving the community they had built together and loves that O'Neill is going to continue with special guests."It's going to be with people that we find interesting," O'Neill said.Next week, their therapist Dr Justine Corry will be the special guest to discuss the topic of "choosing not to have a family member in their life"."I will be listening," Henderson said at the end of the new episode, "I just won't be on it."However, the pair did suggest she may be back from time to time."I wouldn't mind that, because there will be times when I am feeling, 'I wish I was on the podcast because I want to talk about this,'" Henderson said."I won't be a stranger," Henderson said.The pair fought back tears, then burst into laughter, before O'Neill began tearing up again while discussing the depth of their friendship, which began when she managed Henderson's radio career over two decades ago.O'Neill said their journey "has demonstrated, hopefully for everyone, the beauty of friendship"."I think we've helped each other, and helped each other grow," Henderson added.O'Neill said Henderson's support has helped her become a more confident version of herself, leaving her capable of hosting the podcast solo."We've certainly been through the trenches," Henderson said."And we continue to be through the trenches," O'Neill added.Henderson then said, "It's so lovely to have you by my side throughout all of that, because there have been really, really bad times and I always feel better after talking to you."Future episodes of the podcast will also be filmed at O'Neill's home instead of Henderson's as it moves forward."Good luck and thank you so much to our community, and I will see you soon when I pop in and have a cup of tea with Gemma on an episode coming up," Henderson said.FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.