Kate Ritchie breaks down in tears backstage at annual radio awards

KATE Ritchie has revealed why her Commercial Radio Award win for Best Entertainment Presenter meant so much to her.

KATE Ritchie was in tears backstage after winning a solo award at the Australian Commercial Radio Awards in Melbourne on Saturday night.

Ritchie beat out Carrie Bickmore, Ryan ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgerald and her co-host Tim Blackwell to win the ACRA for Best Entertainment Presenter.

Ritchie, who joined Nova’s Kate, Tim and Marty drive show in 2014, was visibly emotional as she spoke to news.com.au just moments after winning the award.

“It does mean a lot because it’s been a period of reshaping my career in some ways,” she said.

Ritchie has previously spoken about feeling like an outsider in the radio industry because she spent so many years working as an actor, but now she feels accepted.

Nova’s Kate Ritchie has won Best Entertainment Presenter at the annual ACRA awards. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

“I suppose in some ways I’ve always felt like a visitor here in this world, but the more things that continue to happen with Kate, Tim and Marty, where we continue to go from strength to strength … there are all these signs that universe is telling me maybe I’m not just visiting.”

Ritchie joked after her win that things might be a tad awkward between her and Tim Blackwell whom she beat out for the ACRA.

Kate Ritchie won the 2018 ACRA for Best Entertainment Presenter.

“I didn’t really want to win because I’m not sure I can handle the sulking on Monday,” she laughed, before paying tribute to her co-hosts.

“I think any award, especially one like this and I truly mean this, is a shared award. I’m only the ‘entertainment presenter’ that I am because I’ve come into a team with Tim and Marty. I hate to say that because they’ll read this and think they’re the greatest of all time but it’s absolutely true.

“Years ago working on Home and Away … it was Ray Meagher who instilled in me that no one person is ever bigger than the show itself. Despite me having the trophy tonight, the award is actually for Tim and Marty … I do genuinely mean that.”

Kate Ritchie joined Tim Blackwell and Marty Sheargold on Nova in 2014. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

It’s clear Ritchie has a lot of affection for her co-hosts despite the fact they often make her the butt of their jokes on the Nova drive show, but she’s adamant she never takes their jibes to heart.

“No, of course I don’t,” she told news.com.au. There’s an element of that old part of me that still longs to act being put into play every day. But I think it’s a far truer version of myself that I have ever had to be.

“I’m the eldest of four kids, so people piling rubbish on me was part of my youth. It’s made me who I am, so maybe I was destined for this job after my upbringing.”

And there’s some good news for Kate, Tim and Marty fans with Ritchie confirming the trio will be back on air together in 2019.

“Why would I give up this job, it’s actually a gift,” she said.

You can see a full list of the winners for all the ACRAs below.

Please note: Category Finalists are denoted with the following letters:

C = Country

P = Provincial

NM = Non-Metropolitan

M = Metropolitan

S = Syndication

P = Production Company

BEST ON-AIR TEAM – METRO FM

The Kyle & Jackie O Show; Kyle Sandilands & Jackie Henderson, KIIS 106.5, Sydney NSW, Australian Radio Network M

BEST ON-AIR TEAM – METRO AM

Ray Hadley’s Continuous Call Team; Ray Hadley, Bob Fulton, Erin Molan, Darryl Brohman, Mark Riddell, Mark Levy & Chris Warren, 2GB, Sydney NSW, Macquarie Media Limited M

BEST ON-AIR TEAM COUNTRY & PROVINCIAL

Brekkie with Courtney & Lippi; Matt Lipiarski & Courtney McIntyre, Mixx FM, Hamilton VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters C

Rabbit & Julie Goodwin; Dave Rabbetts & Julie Goodwin, Star 104.5, Gosford NSW, NOVA Entertainment P

BEST ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTER

Michael Moffett; Triple M, Coffs Harbour NSW, Southern Cross Austereo C

Tanya Hennessy; hit104.7, Canberra ACT, ARN/SCA P

Kate Ritchie; Nova Network, NOVA Entertainment M

BEST TALK PRESENTER

Sarah Boorer; 2BS Gold, Bathurst NSW, Bathurst Broadcasters C

Brian Carlton; LAFM, Launceston TAS, Grant Broadcasters P

Ben Fordham; 2GB, Sydney NSW, Macquarie Media Limited M

BEST CURRENT AFFAIRS PRESENTER

Katie Woolf; Mix 104.9, Darwin NT, Grant Broadcasters NM

Neil Mitchell; 3AW, Melbourne VIC, Macquarie Media Limited M

BEST SYNDICATED AUSTRALIAN PROGRAM

Kate, Tim & Marty; Kate Ritchie, Tim Blackwell, Marty Sheargold & The Nova Entertainment Syndication Team, NOVA Entertainment

BEST SPORTS PRESENTER

Martin Agatyn; 7AD, Devonport TAS, Grant Broadcasters C

Tom King; K rock, Geelong VIC, Grant Broadcasters P

Isa Guha; Triple M, Melbourne VIC, Southern Cross Austereo M

BEST NETWORKED PROGRAM

The Morning Rush; Jon Vertigan & Kate Meade, ACE Radio Broadcasters C

Australia by Night with Stephen Cenatiempo; Stephen Cenatiempo, Triple M regional network, Southern Cross Austereo P

Kate, Tim & Marty; Kate Ritchie, Tim Blackwell & Marty Sheargold, NOVA EntertainmentM

BEST MUSIC PRESENTER

Bryce Ruthven; Edge FM, Deniliquin NSW, ACE Radio Broadcasters C

Josh Olek; K rock, Geelong VIC, Grant Broadcasters P

Melissa Doyle; smoothfm,Sydney NSW, NOVA Entertainment M

BEST MARKETING CAMPAIGN

Triple M’s Give Me 5 For Kids; Southern Cross Austereo Marketing, Regional Triple M Network, Southern Cross Austereo NM

KIIS1065 & Kyle & Jackie O; ARN Marketing & KIIS1065 Content Team, Australian Radio Network M

ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE

Voyager2.0: API powered asset management; Phil Elzerman, Dan Jackson & Cameron St. Clair, Triple M, Sydney NSW, Southern Cross Austereo

BRIAN WHITE AWARD FOR RADIO JOURNALISM

Katie Woolf; Mix 104.9, Darwin NT, Grant Broadcasters NM

Ben Fordham; 2GB, Sydney NSW, Macquarie Media Limited M

BEST NEWCOMER ON-AIR

Paris Humphrey; OneFM, Tamworth NSW, Super Radio Network C

Christie Hayes; i98FM, Wollongong NSW, WIN Network P

Grant Denyer; 2Day FM, Sydney NSW, Southern Cross Austereo M

BEST SPORTS EVENT COVERAGE

2018 Grand Final Call; Ben Casanelia & Tom King, K rock, Geelong VIC, Grant Broadcasters NM

The 2017 AFL Grand Final; Triple M Football, Triple M, Melbourne VIC, Southern Cross AustereoM

BEST NEWS PRESENTER COUNTRY & PROVINCIAL

Lance White; 3CS & Mixx FM, Colac VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters C

Caitlin Unger; Star 104.5, Gosford NSW, NOVA Entertainment P

BEST NEWS PRESENTER - METRO FM

Ron Wilson; smoothfm, Sydney NSW, NOVA Entertainment M

BEST NEWS PRESENTER - METRO AM

Erin Maher; 2GB, Sydney NSW, Macquarie Media Limited M

BEST DIGITAL RADIO FORMAT

Coles Radio; Coles Radio Team, NOVA Entertainment

BEST STATION PRODUCED COMEDY SEGMENT

Parenting the Teenagers Maiden; Jon Vertigan, 3YB, Warrnambool VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters C

First World Problems; Nick Gill, Jess Farchione, Simon Baggs, Ashleigh Smith & Mark Brewer, hit106.9, Newcastle NSW Southern Cross Austereo P

Sam Pang joins smoothfm; Chrissie Swan, Sam Pang, Jonathan Brown & Dean Thomas, Nova 100, Melbourne VIC, NOVA Entertainment M

BEST SHOW PRODUCER – ENTERTAINMENT/MUSIC

Nicole Levey; Tanya & Steve, KOFM, Newcastle NSW, Southern Cross Austereo NM

Sacha French; The Hughesy & Kate Show, Hit Network, Southern Cross Austereo M

BEST SHOW PRODUCER – TALK/CURRENT AFFAIRS

Eddie Williams; 2CC Breakfast with Tim Shaw, 2CC, Canberra ACT, Capital Radio Network NM

Paul Christenson; The Alan Jones Show, 2GB, Sydney NSW, Macquarie Media Limited M

BEST MUSIC DIRECTOR

Mike Ormond-Birch; Sea FM, Devonport TAS, Grant Broadcasters C

Trent Towson; Sea FM, Gold Coast QLD, Southern Cross Austereo P

Jack Ball; hit105, Brisbane QLD, Southern Cross Austereo M

BEST PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR

Molly Perrett; bay 93.9 & K rock, Geelong VIC, Grant Broadcasters NM

Andy Procopis; KIIS & GOLD Networks; Australian Radio Network M

BEST PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Angela Frino; 2QN & Edge FM, Deniliquin NSW, ACE Radio Broadcasters C

James Speed; K rock, Geelong VIC, Grant Broadcasters P

Adrian Brine; FOX FM, Melbourne VIC, Southern Cross Austereo M

BEST DOCUMENTARY

Everybody’s Sister Connie Johnson; Kristen Henry, Mix 106.3, Canberra ACT, ARN/SCA NM

Danny Frawley with Hamish McLachlan; Hamish McLachlan & Danny Frawley, SEN 1116, Melbourne VIC, Pacific Star Network M

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION

Andrew Andrews; Real FM, Mudgee NSW, Super Radio Network C

Matthew Fulton; Hot Tomato, Gold Coast QLD, Hot Tomato P

Jerimiah Busniak; Hit Network, Southern Cross Austereo M

BEST MUSIC SPECIAL

Zoo FM turns 21; Melanni Heldon, Zoo FM, Dubbo NSW, Super Radio Network C

A-Z of Forever Classics; Peter Davidson & Marc McCreadie, 2CA, Canberra ACT, Capital Radio Network P

Paul McCartney ONE-ON-ONE with Amanda Keller; WSFM Content, Campaigns & Activations & Amanda Keller, WSFM, Sydney NSW, Australian Radio Network M

Fleetwood Mac – Rumours; Barry Bissell, Jeff Jenkins & Andy Wells, Andy Wells Media S/P

BEST STATION SALES ACHIEVEMENT

4SB Sales; Kingaroy QLD, Resonate Regional Radio NM

1116 SEN Direct Sales Team; Melbourne VIC, Pacific Star Network M

BEST AGENCY SALESPERSON

Anne Sutherland; The Radio Sales Network, Melbourne VIC, Grant Broadcasters

BEST DIRECT SALESPERSON

Kristy Cooper; 2DU & Zoo FM, Dubbo NSW, Super Radio Network C

Mandy Mills; Sea FM & Gold FM, Gold Coast QLD, Southern Cross Austereo P

Duncan Fosdike; hit107 & Triple M, Adelaide SA, Southern Cross Austereo M

BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL – SINGLE

Dela-Vee Hair Studio; Ray Adams, 3HA & Mixx FM, Hamilton VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters C

Music Box; Anna Cook, Star 104.5, Gosford NSW, NOVA Entertainment P

WAAPA Carousel; Aussie Moore, Mitch Mitchell & Carl Step, Mix 94.5, Perth WA, Southern Cross Austereo M

BEST STATION PRODUCED COMMERCIAL – CAMPAIGN

Wyong Family Practice - Bad Ink;Cameron Horn & David Horspool, Sea FM, Gosford NSW, Southern Cross Austereo NM

Pancake Parlour; Darren Collins & Chris Gates, FOX FM, Melbourne VIC, Southern Cross Austereo M

BEST SALES PROMOTION

Lucky $5 Note; Jeanette Loring, 7BU, Burnie TAS, Grant Broadcasters C

Block Your Street; KOFM Promotions Team, KOFM, Newcastle NSW, Southern Cross Austereo P

Tradie-oke; Fifi Box, Brendan Fevola & Byron Cooke, FOX FM, Melbourne VIC, Southern Cross Austereo M

BEST MULTIMEDIA EXECUTION – SALES

Mixx FM & Coles Colac Store Opening Promotion; Nick Hay & Anne Sutherland, Mixx FM, Colac VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters NM

Quit with HaydoThe Studio Adelaide; Triple M, Adelaide SA, Southern Cross Austereo

Kyle and Jackie O’s You Get A Car; KIIS 1065 Campaigns & Activations, Content, Integration and Sales, KIIS 106.5, Sydney NSW, Australian Radio Network M

BEST MULTIMEDIA EXECUTION – STATION

The Danihers vs The All Stars AFL Legends Game; Leigh Ryan, Mandy Page, Triple M Riverina & Triple M Riverina MIA Production Team, Triple M Riverina & Triple M Riverina MIA, Wagga Wagga NSW, Southern Cross Austereo C

Hit104.7 Skyfire 30; Zak Davies, Ned Breward, Josh Torney, Matty Heap, Rod Cuddihy, Adam Jansen, Bethany Larsen, Taylor Hunt, Alexandra Carlon & Georgia Duck, hit104.7, Canberra ACT, ARN/SCA P

#Yes2Love; Tim Arnold, Julia Foskey, Madaline Edye & Eleni Paneras, The Hit Network, Southern Cross Austereo M

BEST STATION PROMOTION

The Big Sherrin;Triple M Riverina MIA Promotions Team, Triple M The Riverina & Triple M Riverina MIA, Griffith NSW, Southern Cross Austereo C

Eviction Bus; Sea FM Team, Sea FM, Gold Coast QLD, Southern Cross Austereo P

Nova’s Red Room Global Tour 2017; Nova’s Red Room Project Team, Nova Network, Sydney NSW, NOVA Entertainment M

BEST COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT

Walking Tall; Matty Stewart & Matt Monk, Coast FM, Warrnambool VIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters C

i98FM’s Illawarra Convoy; i98FM Convoy Team, i98FM, Wollongong NSW, WIN Network P

Radiothon; Katherine Tonkin, Peter Clay, Alex Martin, Polly-India Morcillo, Polly Goodchild & Vanessa Butcher, smoothfm, Sydney NSW, NOVA Entertainment M

BEST NEWCOMER OFF-AIR

Alexandra Knock; 3YB & Coast FM, WarrnamboolVIC, ACE Radio Broadcasters C

Nat Penfold; The Edge, Western Sydney NSW, Australian Radio Network P

Pedro Cuccovillo Vitola; KIIS 1065, Sydney NSW, Australian Radio Network M

BEST ORIGINAL PODCAST – UNBRANDED

Mum Says My Memoir Is A Lie; Rosie Waterland, PodcastOne, Southern Cross Austereo

BEST ORIGINAL PODCAST – BRANDED

Modern Babies; Genea & the Nova Entertainment Podcast Team, NOVA Entertainment

BEST RADIO SHOW PODCAST

Chrissie, Sam & Browny;Chrissie Swan, Sam Pang & Jonathan Brown, NOVA Entertainment