Sydney radio host Jackie Henderson has apologised for suggesting Parramatta rugby league star Kieran Foran was the not father of his ex-partner Rebecca Pope’s 11-week-old son.

Henderson – better known as Jackie O – made the claims last Friday in the wake of Foran being granted personal leave by the Eels in the wake of a recent relationship breakdown.

However lawyers acting for the split couple demanded an apology and retraction on Thursday evening, to which Henderson obliged.

“I gave voice to a really ugly rumour and I just wanted to apologise for that,” Henderson said in the opening to Friday’s Kyle and Jackie O show.

“It was stupid to say what I said and it was really insensitive, especially considering what Kieran is going through at this time in his life.”

Henderson refused to repeat the rumour on air, while controversial co-host Kyle Sandilands pleaded ignorance throughout the segment.

“I’ve got no idea what this is all about, but it sounds quite legally involved,” he said.

“It looks like you’re in the s**t and better you than me because this is usually something that I am asked to do.

“And I refuse to ever do anything, I never say sorry for anything ever.”

Foran remains in an interstate rehabilitation clinic, but his anger surrounding the claims was clearly evidenced in the statement released by his lawyers.

“Statements were made by Jackie O suggesting that our client’s child was not his,” it read on Thursday.

“This statement gave imputations that the former partner of our client committed adultery during their relationship.

“That imputation is defamatory, completely false, untrue and lacking any merit.

“We are instructed to request that you submit a clear apology and retraction to Mr Kieran Foran and Ms Rebecca Pope.”