Nova 106.9 radio host Kip Wightman has quit the top-rating breakfast show

Popular Nova 106.9 radio presenter Kip Wightman has quit the network’s top-rating breakfast show Ash, Kip, Luttsy & Susie after 15 years.

Nova 106.9 radio host Kip Wightman has quit the top-rating breakfast show to focus on his personal life as a single dad.

The Brisbane radio star presented his final show as part of Ash, Kip, Luttsy and Susie on Wednesday, a breakfast program he has hosted for 15 years.

It comes after Wightman confirmed in March that he had separated from his wife Amber after almost four years of marriage.

With the pair now co-parenting their young son, Rafael, Wightman said his priorities had shifted this year.

Luttsy, Ash, Kip and Susie O'Neill – the team behind the top-rating Nova FM breakfast show. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

“It has been a privilege to hang out with the people of Brisbane over breakfast these past 15 years, but the time is right for me to switch off the alarm and consider what’s next in my professional and personal life,” he said.

“Living in these strange times have made many of us reassess things, and while I’ve still got a lot of love for radio and broadcasting, my priorities have shifted.

“I’ve had a lot going on, some of which hasn’t been easy, and breakfast radio hours aren’t the best for a single Dad of a young son, so it feels right to call time on being a part of this dream team.

“I won’t miss the early starts, but I will miss everyone involved with the show, and everyone across the network who has made my years at Nova a great experience. I thank everyone for their support and apologise to my neighbours for being around far more than they are used to.”

Wightman, who had been with Nova for 18 years in total, won’t be back on air as part of the show, which recently maintained its spot as the most listened to breakfast show in Brisbane.

Kip Wightman and his son Rafael at home in Balmoral. Picture: John Gass

He was part of Nova’s original breakfast team when the station launched in 2005 but, after separating from his first wife Leanne, he briefly left the show in 2009, spending time in the US.

He then returned to the Nova show, rejoining co-hosts Ash Bradnam and David “Luttsy” Lutteral in 2012 and the trio have presented the top-rating show ever since – adding Susie O’Neill as a full-time co-host two years ago.

“We selfishly thought we would be broadcasting together forever, so breaking up the band was never going to be easy,” the Nova Brisbane breakfast team said.

“We know that all good things must come to an end, but we look forward to calling Kip in the early hours to remind him of what he is missing.”

Brendan Taylor, NOVA Entertainment’s Group Program Operations Director, said: “It’s hard to put into words the impact Kip has had on our loyal listeners and the entire team. He’s been an important and influential part of Nova Brisbane from the very beginning. From all of us at Nova, I would like to thank Kip and wish him all the very best for the future.”