Nova’s Tim Blackwell spills on Kate Ritchie’s shock move

Kate Ritchie stunned fans when she announced she would not be returning to Nova’s drive show. Now, her former co-host has broken his silence.

Nova’s Tim Blackwell has spoken for the first time about Kate Ritchie’s decision to quit the station’s national drive show.

Ritchie joined the show back in 2014 and remained a co-host until late last year, when she took time off for health reasons.

It was expected that she would return to the popular show at the start of this year, but in March it was announced that she would be joining Fitzy and Wippa’s breakfast show on Nova in Sydney instead.

Fitzy and Wippa with their new recruit, Kate Ritchie. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Ricki-Lee Coulter was then announced as Ritchie’s permanent replacement on the drive show, joining co-hosts Blackwell and Joel Creasey.

In a statement at the time, Ritchie said: “The past eight years on drive have 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 announcement baffled fans who could not understand why Ritchie chose not to return to the drive show.

Kate and Tim.

The new Nova drive show. Picture: Justin Lloyd

News.com.au asked Blackwell to explain what happened during his appearance on Shock Jocks – a show where radio stars receive an electric shock every time they refuse to answer a tough question (you can watch his episode at the top of this article).

Blackwell was coy at first, saying: “That’s a question for her (Ritchie), I know nothing.”

But when pressed for more details, he said: “I think it ran its course and I think she wanted a new opportunity... and Ricki was around as well.”

Fans of the show have embraced the former Australian Idol contestant, with the Ricki-Lee, Tim & Joel Show currently the number one rated national FM drive show.

During his appearance on Shock Jocks, Blackwell praised his new co-host, saying: “I think she’s the female version of me, except I can’t sing.

“She’s a bit of a control freak, she knows what she wants, she’s very vocal, she’s very powerful, she’s got her own ideas, and that’s why we love her so much.”

Ricki-Lee, Tim & Joel airs 4-6pm weekdays on Nova