Kyle & Jackie O Star Makes Shock Exit on First Day Back

A popular KIIS FM star has dramatically quit on the first day back from Christmas break. Cooper Johns, who quit the NRL to join Kyle & Jackie O as a full-time sports reporter in 2024, announced the shock news to listeners 10 minutes into Monday morning's show. 'Today is my last day,' he declared to hosts Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson. After celebrations from co-stars like Intern Pete, Kyle pressed the 26-year-old on why he was quitting the show after only two years in the role. 'You don't like us?' he asked. 'No, I love you guys ... But amongst some other reasons, you know, I feel like it's time for the caterpillar to ... grow its wings,' Cooper replied. Kyle then said the real reason Cooper is leaving the network was that he 'got other opportunities that pay more'. 'It was with his sponsors. With his sponsors and more opportunities to do very little work and earn more money,' Kyle added. 'So, this is your last day?' Jackie asked, to which Cooper replied, 'Correct.' 'Gonna miss you guys,' he continued. In 2024, Cooper took to social media to confirm the news that he'd quit rugby league for a career in radio. In a humorous Instagram post, Cooper took a shot at his former coach Craig Bellamy and his dad. 'Loved my time in the @nrl but after some late nights pondering over a couple of schooners of Malibu and Coke no sugar I've decided to step away for a bit and switch out the leather pig skin for a microphone,' Johns wrote at the time. 'Never in my days would I have expected such an outpouring of sorrow, grief and emotion. 'But in all seriousness I'll never forget the lifetime friends I've made & the ones I hope I never see again (@bradparker04 @harrrygrantt & @tyranwishart) just to name a few. 'The memories … so many to pick from… first game… first try … first offseason scandal shoutout to @munster94 @hecticcheese. 'And finally to all my coaches particularly Craig Bellamy …who refused to select me regardless of mediocre form and numerous bribes, don't expect a reference when you're looking for another club to drag through the mud. 'And finally to my family, who cause me nothing but stress… get f****d. Is this the end who knows … one thing I do know is rugby league is the greatest game of all.' Cooper quit the NRL at the start of 2024 following stints with the Melbourne Storm and Manly Sea Eagles dating back to 2020. The former five-eighth, who is the son of rugby league legend Matty Johns and nephew of Andrew Johns, then moved into radio, joining the Kyle & Jackie O show as a full-time producer. The Manly Sea Eagles did not re-sign him at the end of the 2023 season.