Executive producer Bruno Bouchet quits as he was in direct competition with his wife

THE long-time producer behind the Kyle and Jackie O Show has finally revealed why he left the top-rated show — and insisted it wasn’t due to a fallout with Kyle Sandilands.

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THE long-time producer behind the Kyle and Jackie O Show has finally revealed why he left the top-rated show — and insisted it wasn’t due to a fallout with Kyle Sandilands.

Instead, Kiis FM’s Bruno Bouchet — the man widely credited for helping elevate Sandilands to one of Australia’s highest-rated on-air personalities — said it was a family decision motivated partly by the fact he was working in direct competition with his wife.

Laura Bouchet is also one of radio’s most sought-after producers and oversees Kyle and Jackie O’s closest rivals Amanda and Jonesy on WSFM.

Bruno Bouchet with his wife Laura and their daughter Juliette with their respective bosses. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

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Remarkably the industry power couple, who met a decade ago “over the photocopier” at the Australian Radio Network headquarters in Ryde, have been juggling the fortunes of the two highest-rated FM shows in Sydney for the past three years, having risen through the ranks at the broadcaster.

However, Bouchet said the stress of competing had taken its toll, coupled with the fact he wants to spend more time with his 18-month-old daughter Juliette.

Bouchet said he was motivated to quit as he was in direct competition with his wife.

The couple met years ago at the printer where they both worked.

“Even though we are at the same network we are still competitors and there have been times when there has been some odd moments,” said Bouchet, who lost his first ratings survey to his wife’s Amanda and Jonesy show in August.

“That was interesting for me, I have to be honest.

“It was difficult because on one hand I was happy for (Laura) but on the other hand it was at the expense of my show.

“Part of me was happy but also there was a part of me that wasn’t.

“So in the end it’s probably healthier for our relationship if I stepped away.”

Bouchet, who is close friends with Kyle Sandilands, helped him with his TV show Trial By Kyle and penned his famous biography.

Bouchet, a renowned workaholic who admitted he was on a conference call “minutes before” his daughter was born, said his wife is better equipped to compartmentalise their respective roles at the network and keep “work and life separate”.

“Laura has a much better balance than I do. All I do is think about work all the time whereas she can switch off.

“She has also been doing that job longer than me and has won far more awards and accolades.”

It’s understood ARN bosses fought hard to keep Bouchet and Sandilands also opposed his decision to leave.

The pair have been close friends and colleagues for more than a decade with Bouchet also consulting on Sandilands’ TV side project Trial By Kyle.

Kyle and Jackie O’s current senior producer Sonia Jashan, right, has been tipped as the frontrunner to replace Bouchet. Picture: Instagram/@soniajahshan

Bouchet also penned Sandilands’ infamous autobiography Scandalands.

“I think Kyle and Jackie both assumed I would renew my contract for three more years so when I didn’t Kyle did ask me to explain my reasoning,” Bouchet said.

“But once I explained the family reasons behind it I think he understood and we are definitely still friends.”

Bouchet will take up a “nine to five” marketing position with electronics company Shriro in December.

Meanwhile the search for his replacement is underway with Kyle and Jackie O’s current senior producer Sonia Jahshan tipped as the frontrunner.