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Kate Ritchie shocked her fans and loyal listeners this week when she announced she would be leaving her popular Nova drive show for the rest of the year due to stress.
While her future at the station appears to be up in the air, an insider tells Daily Mail Australia that the network is desperate to get her back in the seat, and her recent drink-driving scandal has nothing to do with her departure.
“Most people at Nova are adamant that Kate won’t come back, but they’ll do anything to keep her,” the insider said.
EXCLUSIVE: A Nova FM insider has revealed the network is desperate to keep Kate Ritchie (pictured) after the shock announcement of the star’s departure on Thursday
“Driving was unfortunate, but not a factor for Nova – she’s a big part of the family,” she added.
The source insisted Kate’s airborne statement about being stressed and exhausted from her schedule is the real reason for her leaving, and network bosses are crossing their fingers that she will change her mind and come back.
The insider also revealed that Kate’s salary is even higher than the estimated $1 million reported in the media, claiming that the former Home and Away star actually took home $1.2 million a year.
When Kate decides not to return, Nova considers putting Chrissie Swan in the noon time slot.
The source also claims that Ritchie had a whopping $1.2 million salary with the network
Chrissie, along with Sam Pang and Jonathan Brown, officially retired their top-rated Nova breakfast show Chrissie, Sam & Browny, after seven years on-air.
According to the insider, the announcement stunned Nova’s staff, with all employees at the station receiving an email from CEO Peter Charlton at 8:30 a.m. with an attached press release.
Chrissie said on Friday that despite the announcement that came as a shock to their listeners, the time was right for the trio to leave.
The popular Melbourne star, who can also be seen on The Project and is a judge on The Masked Singer, said she was preparing for a new role with Nova after 20 years in breakfast radio.
If Kate decides not to return, Nova considers putting Chrissie Swan (pictured) in the noon time slot
Meanwhile, Kate will be off the air for the rest of the year, but will return in early 2023 along with co-hosts Joel Creasey and Tim Blackwell.
Kate, 43, who was busted in August for drink-driving, explained to listeners that she’d had an “incredibly hectic and busy” year and needed some time off.
“The past year has been incredibly hectic and busy for both me and my family,” she said on Thursday.
“I have experienced many changes and more stress in my life in a short time, like many of you. And it has taken its toll.
“But still, I’m so proud that our Nova show, with Tim and Joel and the team, is only moving forward and getting stronger.”
Chrissie, along with Sam Pang and Jonathan Brown, officially retired their top-rated Nova breakfast show Chrissie, Sam & Browny, after seven years on-air. All pictured
She added: “We love our audience and they seem to put up with us.
And as you may have guessed, I put a lot of emotional energy into everything I do, my job and especially my family, and the last few months I’ve been working on radio, I’ve returned to TV and in my spare time I I even wrote a children’s book.
“So it’s simple, like some of you I imagine, I’m tired and just need a break and have more time for myself and for my family to re-energize.
“I’ve spoken to Nova’s bosses and they kindly agree that now is a good time to take a break as we approach the end of the year.
“Nova was fantastic and understanding, so thank you Nova, and thank you Tim, Joel and the team, and most of all thank you to all our wonderful listeners. I really mean that.
“It’s time to recharge the batteries and come back fresh next year. And even if it’s just for a little while, I’ll miss you all. I’ll see you in the new year.’
Kate, 43, who was caught in August for drink-driving, explained to listeners that she’d had an “incredibly hectic and full” year and needed some time off
Peter Charlton, Nova Entertainment’s chief executive, said: “Kate is a talented broadcaster and a respected member of the Kate, Tim & Joel and Nova Network team.
“We fully support Kate’s decision to take some time for herself and her family. We look forward to welcoming her back in the new year.”
Kate, who currently serves as a judge on Channel Seven’s Australia’s Got Talent, first joined Nova FM in 2007.
The child star began hosting the Kate, Tim & Marty drive show in 2014 with Blackwell and Marty Sheargold.
Creasy was hired in 2020 when Sheargold left for Triple M.
The star, who currently appears as a judge on Channel Seven’s Australia’s Got Talent (pictured), first joined Nova FM in 2007
Rumors of Kate’s future at Nova started circulating in August after she was charged with drink-driving in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
She was stopped by police at 2:45pm for a random breath test in her Subaru station wagon, tested positive on the roadside and was taken to the Maroubra Police Station.
There she underwent a secondary breath analysis that yielded a positive value of 0.06 – just above the legal limit.
A spokesman for the NSW Police said at the time: “She was given a notice of infringement for the offense of driving with a prescribed low alcohol concentration and issued a notice of suspension of the license.”
Kate, who shares a young daughter with ex-husband Stuart Webb, is said to have been fined $600 on the spot and banned from driving for three months.
Rumors of Kate’s future at Nova started swirling in August after she was charged with drink-driving in Sydney’s eastern suburbs
She was allegedly fined $600 on the spot and banned from driving for three months. She later apologized on Instagram
She later released a statement on Instagram expressing regret for her actions.
“Recently I did a random breath test. Although it was a low level, the test came back positive,” she wrote.
“I made a bad decision and I no doubt understand the gravity of my actions. I am really sorry.’
At the time of her accusation, listeners had noticed Kate’s frequent absences from the show after she scheduled a series of extended vacations in recent years.
At one point in 2020, she took seven consecutive weeks of leave from her late afternoon shift, which was “unheard of” according to one radio figure.
Kate will be off air for the rest of the year, but will return in early 2023 along with co-hosts Joel Creasey and Tim Blackwell