Fitzy & Wippa awkwardly farewell ousted co-host Sarah McGilvray

Fitzy & Wippa finally addressed the absence of longtime co-host Sarah McGilvray today, which marked their first show with Kate Ritchie.

A long-running Nova presenter’s mysterious absence was finally addressed on-air today.

Sarah McGilvray, who had worked on Nova 96.9's breakfast show for over a decade, has officially left Fitzy & Wippa after eight years on the microphone with the Sydney-based duo, where she’s been pushed out to make room for new host Kate Ritchie.

Fitzy and Wippa have been joined by new co-host Kate Ritchie this week.

Co-hosts Ryan Fitzgerald and Michael Wipfli paid tribute to their long-running colleague on Monday morning, four weeks after she disappeared from the airwaves without an explanation.

McGilvray, who has been with the network for 12 years, was not present on-air for the tribute, while Ritchie co-hosted her debut show after being announced as a new co-host on Friday.

“Guys, we wanted to have a chat here because with the announcement on Friday that we made about the show, the excitement of Kate Ritchie joining, it’s clear that Sarah, who has worked with us for the past ten years, has left the show,” Wippa said.

“So we wanted to say a couple of words just to acknowledge that, and also thank Sez.

“She has been a huge part of the show for the past ten years, and as a colleague and a friend even more, we want to say that we love her to pieces and she’s given everything to this show.

“We hope she stays in the radio game.”

Sarah McGilvray is not returning to Nova's Fitzy & Wippa.

McGilvray, pictured here with Wippa, had been on the show as a presenter for eight years. Picture: Jonathan Ng

McGilvray is yet to comment.

Meanwhile, Ritchie announced she was leaving her national drive show Kate, Tim & Joel on Thursday after stepping back for a lengthy break in October.

Ricki-Lee Coulter is replacing Ritchie on the drive show.

“It is so nice to be here, it’s been a long time and I’m excited to be back in the studio making radio,” Ritchie said on Fitzy & Wippa.

“A bit of time off has made me realise I love doing a bit of broadcasting, and I’m now looking forward to doing it with you guys.”