Kate Ritchie to join Nova’s breakfast shift with ‘Fitzy’ and ‘Wippa’
Home and Away star Kate Ritchie has ended months of speculation and confirmed her next career move.
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Kate Ritchie has ended months of speculation with news of a major shake-up at Nova radio network.
The former Home and Away star has jumped from the afternoon Drive shift that she co-hosted for the past eight years to join Nova breakfast duo, Ryan ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgerald and Michael ‘Wippa’ Wipfli.
“I am so excited to be joining Fitzy and Wippa in the very competitive breakfast slot,” Ritchie said.
“I’m a huge fan of the show and I’ve been great mates with the boys for years.
“The past eight years on Drive has been an important part of my life but I’m thrilled to take on this new challenge by returning to breakfast radio in my hometown. I can’t wait to wake up Sydneysiders beside two of the industry’s much loved breakfast announcers.”
The news comes after Ricki-Lee Coulter was announced as Ritchie’s permanent replacement on the Drive shift alongside Tim Blackwell and Joel Creasey on the Ricki-Lee, Tim and Joel show.
Ritchie from Monday will be part of the show that will now be called Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie that airs on the 96.9 dial locally from 6am to 9am in Sydney and is broadcast across the Nova network nationally from 6pm weeknights.
“We’ve been annoying Kate around the office for over 10 years, now we get to do it every morning,” Fitzy and Wippa said.
“We are excited for our audience to hear how funny Kate thinks we are. Nova listeners have always loved Kate and now she’ll be served up every weekday. Please enjoy your breakfast.”
Ritchie is a Gold and Silver Logie Award winning actor who has focused primarily on radio for most of the past decade. She was a child actor who played Sally Fletcher on Aussie soap Home and Away for 20 years.
Ritchie was most recently a judge on the Australia’s Got Talent reality show and has just wrapped shooting TV drama, The Claremont Murders.
In October, she shocked listeners when she announced she would step down from the Nova Drive show for the remainder of the year to focus on family.
She is a single parent to beloved daughter, Mae.
At the time, she said: “This past year has been incredibly hectic and full on for both me and my family. I have had much change and increased stress in my life, like many of you, in a short space of time.
“And it has taken its toll. But still, I am so proud that our Nova show, with Tim and Joel and the team, is just powering along, and going from strength to strength.”
In January, she extended her time off for a further several weeks.
Nova Entertainment boss Peter Charlton described Ritchie as a “respected announcer”.
“Kate’s engaging personality, natural rapport and quick wit, has resonated with listeners and advertisers alike,” he said.
“Fitzy & Wippa are incredible talents with a unique approach to entertaining their loyal audience. Matching them with Kate has created a dream line-up and we can’t wait to see and hear what they get up to.”
RICKI-LEE COULTER LANDS MAJOR RADIO GIG IN NOVA SHAKE-UP
There has been a major shake-up at Nova radio network with singer Ricki-Lee Coulter taking on a permanent slot with its high profile Drive shift.
Ricki-Lee replaces Kate Ritchie alongside Tim Blackwell and Joel Creasey on Nova’s national Drive show of Ricki-Lee, Tim & Joel.
She has stood in for Ritchie for several months since the end of last year when the former Home and Away star took extended leave.
“I love Tim and Joel like the brothers I never had but always wanted,” Ricki-Lee said.
“I have been having so much fun in the studio with them – they are the best in the business.”
Ricki-Lee continued: “I have so much love for Kate and I’m so happy I’ve been able to help out on the Drive show over the last year. I am pumped to be officially joining the Nova family.”
Ritchie will remain with Nova with a new gig expected to be announced today (Friday). Industry murmurs have suggested she will join Ryan Fitzgerald and Michael Wipfli on the Fitzy & Wippa breakfast show.
That show is also broadcast nationally in each capital city and is broadcast on the Nova 96.9 dial in Sydney.
“I’ve had an incredible eight years as part of Nova’s Drive team, and I wish Ricki-Lee all the luck in the world,” Ritchie said.
Blackwell has been part of Nova’s Drive show since launch in 2012 while Creasey joined the team in August 2020.
They have consistently scored at the top of the radio ratings, making them one of the highest profile and respected teams in the industry.
Ricki-Lee, 37, has over recent years diversified her media profile by taking on various hosting gigs, mostly on television until she started on Nova Drive.
She currently hosts Australian Idol on Channel 7 and is also the host of Australia’s Got Talent on that network.
As a singer, she has enjoyed huge success since appearing herself as a contestant on the 2004 season of Australian Idol. Her biggest hits include Can’t Touch It, Hell No, Not Too Late, Raining Diamonds, Wiggle It, Love Is All Around and Do It Like That.
Ricki-Lee was also a member of girl group, The Young Divas.
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