I'LL BE BACK: 'Vile Kyle' Sandilands to return in 2012 after journo threat

He's back: Kyle Sandilands, spared the axe, yet again. Picture: Getty Images

DISGRACED shock jock Kyle Sandilands has kept his job at the helm of Australia's most popular breakfast radio show.

Southern Cross Austereo confirmed this afternoon he would return to the Kyle and Jackie O Show in 2012, yet again sparing the notorious repeat offender.

In a case of too little, too late, Sandilands issued an apology to news.com.au journalist Alison Stephenson for publicly abusing and threatening her on air.

Austereo said it did not condone his behaviour that was "deemed offensive".

Sandilands branded her a "fat slag" and promised to "hunt her down". The incident met with widespread public outrage and cost the radio station millions as sponsors and advertisers fled by the dozen.

Southern Cross Austereo CEO Rhys Holleran said in a statement Sandilands would continue in his job.

"(We) appreciate his further apology and addressing of the situation," he said.

Sandilands' "apology" came by way of a prepared press statement, more than fortnight after his disgraceful comments in the public domain.

Read the Sandilands apology in full below

"I have been in radio for more than ten years, my show is based on controversy, I give as good as I get and I have never been shy in expressing my opinion," he said.

"In the heat of the moment I reacted badly to criticism of my television program. I took my remarks too far and for that - and the offence caused to Alison Stephenson and those exposed to my comments - I sincerely apologise."

It follows his first attempt at an apology, when he said on air: "I went over the top because I thought it was a personal attack on me".

Big names such as Coles, Vodafone and Ford said earlier this week they would refuse to advertise with Southern Cross Austereo for as long as Sandilands remained in a job.

Kyle Sandilands' apology letter, released on December 9.