Kate Ritchie’s Nova radio replacement is named after the Home and Away star’s months-long absence and stint in rehab for alcohol dependency
Kate Ritchie has been officially replaced on Nova FM’s Kate, Tim & Joel.
After leaving the show after a months-long absence and a stint in rehab for alcohol dependency, the popular radio host, 44, was replaced by Ricki-Lee Coulter.
One of Australia’s biggest music stars, Ricki, 37, said he was “very happy” to be taking over the segment along with co-hosts Tim Blackwell and Joel Creasey, now going by Ricki-Lee, Tim & Joel.
“I love Tim and Joel like the brothers I never had but always wanted, and I’ve had so much fun in the studio with them, they’re the best in the business!” he said in a statement to Daily Mail Australia on Thursday.
“I have a lot of love for Kate and I am so happy that I was able to help out in the Drive program over the last year. I am excited to officially join the Nova family!
Kate Ritchie, left, has been officially replaced on Nova FM’s Kate, Tim & Joel by singer Ricki-Lee Coulter, right
Tim and Joel added that they are equally excited to have Ricki-Lee on board, saying that her “energy lifts us all up every day.”
Meanwhile, Kate said she wishes her successor the best of luck in his new role and was “excited” to move on to something new, which Nova will soon announce.
“I’ve had an incredible eight years as part of the Nova’s Drive team, and I wish Ricki-Lee all the luck in the world,” he said.
Kate left the show after a months-long absence and a stint in rehab for alcohol dependency.
She continued: “I’m thrilled to take on an exciting new challenge and can’t wait to share what I’m up to next.”
Last week, it was rumored that Kate was planning to jump from Nova’s national driving show to the network’s Sydney breakfast show.
She announced last year that she would be taking a break from the Kate, Tim & Joel show to focus on her health, but network sources said she would not return.
One of Australia’s biggest music stars, Ricki, 37, said he was “very happy” to be taking over the segment alongside co-hosts Tim Blackwell and Joel Creasey, now calling himself Ricki-Lee, Tim & Joel.
Industry insiders claimed that the media personality, who sought treatment for alcohol dependency at a rehab center during his absence, has his sights set on joining Fitzy and Wippa, a move that could give the show a head start. much needed audience.
Until now, Kate had remained quiet about her return date despite teasing in January that she would be back on the air with her co-hosts Joel and Tim in a matter of weeks.
Ricki-Lee was filling in for Kate during her absence, but is now looking for a permanent job with the team.
Ryan ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgerald and Michael ‘Wippa’ Wipfli’s co-host Sarah McGilvray has also been absent for the past two weeks, suggesting she could be making way for Kate’s big debut.