Kyle Sandilands is having the time of his life at 51, and it’s all thanks to fatherhood.
The controversial KIIS FM presenter, who was once warned by doctors that his hard-partying lifestyle would lead him to an early grave, now spends his nights caring for newborn son Otto.
“I used to watch TV for hours and now I just sit and look at him and he was really a delight,” he told the Chron Australia.
Shock jock Kyle Sandilands told Chron Australia he’s never been happier after the birth of his first child, son Otto. Both are pictured together
“I just sat at home the whole time, which I really enjoyed. I’m home more now than during lockdown so let’s enjoy every second of it.
“Actually, I’m pretty happy. I can’t imagine being happier.”
Kyle, who welcomed Otto with his fiancée Tegan Kynaston in August, admitted he never dreamed of having children but is now “thrilled” that he has decided to take the plunge and become a father.
At the height of his partying in the late 2000s, Kyle suffered from drug addiction and struggled with depression.
Kyle, who welcomed Otto with his fiancée Tegan Kynaston in August, admitted he never dreamed of having children but is now “thrilled” that he has decided to take the plunge and become a father. Kyle and Tegan are pictured together in March
In 2018, he said he had “self-medicated and pushed back dozens of lines” and that his lifestyle had often caused him to miss work, including skipping two live clearance shows while he was “Big Brother with Jackie” in 2008. O” Henderson hosted .
Though fatherhood is softening him these days, the outspoken star promises viewers won’t get a politically correct Kyle when he returns to screens as a judge in the upcoming Australian Idol reboot.
“Oh my god, are you kidding?” He scoffed when asked if he would allow current waking culture to smother his famously unfiltered persona on the family-friendly show.
“I used to watch TV for hours and now I just sit and watch him and he really was a delight,” Kyle (pictured with son Otto) told Chron Australia
“I even asked Channel Seven when they called me into the boardroom and said, ‘We want you to come back.’ And I said, “Listen. I will not be able to be one of those judges of light and love.”
“I’m very wary. Not evil, but I won’t pretend they’re great. I said, ‘If they suck, they’re told they suck. Or they are blinded. Or they have to work on it.”
“I said I’ll be as nice as I can, but I’m not going to be like a voice coach. It’s going to be like the harsh realities of the commercial side of the business.’
Kyle added that his role on the judging panel, which also includes Harry Connick Jr., Meghan Trainor and singer-songwriter Amy Shark, is to “cut through the trash.”
But with a newborn baby and his role as one half of KIIS FM’s The Kyle and Jackie O Show, is Kyle worried about having too much on his plate?
“It was me first,” he admitted.
“I’ve never been a dad so I wasn’t sure what to expect but we’re lucky he’s quite well behaved and settled in well,” he continued.
Though fatherhood is softening him these days, Kyle promises he’ll continue to be his outspoken self in the upcoming Australian Idol reboot. He is pictured with Mark Holden and Marcia Hines in the original series
“He has a good mother who is very dedicated. She wasn’t too thrilled when she found out I was going to be out of the house for 20 days, but there are a few times I come back between different cities, so we took care of that.
“She does not mind. She understands that work is pretty important.”
And with family life going so smoothly, Kyle and Tegan haven’t ruled out having more children in the future.
“We said we’re seeing how the first one goes and while it went really well we just realized we have some friends who have two or three kids and they look like beaten wrecks and they can do it never come out,’ he said.
“But it hasn’t been ruled out, but we’ll just push through the first one, and if Tegan feels like she wants a second one, then we’ll talk about it.
“I’m ready for that, but we’ll see how we get on with the one first.”
Sandilands, 51, (pictured) said he and Tegan “haven’t ruled out” having more children
“I’ll be as nice as I can, but I won’t be like a voice coach. It’s going to be like the harsh realities of the commercial side of the business,” Kyle (pictured) said of his upcoming stint with Idol
Channel Seven first announced plans for an Australian Idol reboot in 2020.
At the time, the network planned the show for a 2022 release, but it’s now taking place in 2023 instead.
The reboot will mark Kyle’s second appearance on the show, having worked on the original series from 2005-2009.
The 51-year-old left the original show in 2009 following a series of scandals, including labeling 2005 winner Kate DeAraugo’s arms as “Tuckshop Lady Arms.”
He will be joined in the new season by American artists Harry Connick Jr. and Meghan Trainor and Australian singer-songwriter Amy Shark.
Former Australian Idol contestant Ricki-Lee Coulter and TV personality Scott Tweedie will serve as hosts.
Kyle says his role on the jury, which also includes Harry Connick Jr., Meghan Trainor and singer-songwriter Amy Shark, is to “cut through the trash.” All pictured