Nova radio surprised listeners on Friday when the station officially announced that former Home and Away star Kate Ritchie had replaced host Sarah McGilvray on Fitzy and Wippa.
And now, some of Sarah’s most devoted fans have endorsed her after the radio station kicked her out.
Beneath Fitzy and Wippa’s announcement post on Instagram, many listeners flocked to the comments section to say they will no longer tune in to the station due to Sarah being replaced.
Many said they were “disappointed” by the news and upset that Sarah didn’t get the proper send-off she deserved.
It comes after current and former employees of the radio station told Daily Mail Australia they were shocked by the news that McGilvray was being sidelined, with some only finding out about it through the press last week.
His departure had not been acknowledged on the air since he disappeared from the show nearly four weeks ago after an outburst with management about his role at the network.
Some of Sarah McGilvray’s most devoted fans have rallied around her after Nova was ousted and Kate Ritchie replaced her on Fitzy and Wippa.
‘Where’s Sarah?’ one person commented below the announcement post.
“Loyalty…Sarah deserved more,” said another.
‘No! I won’t be listening now! I should have kept Sarah. Goodbye Nova’, joked one.
Another fan said Sarah’s sudden disappearance from the show was “disappointing.”
Nova radio surprised listeners on Friday when the station officially announced that former Home and Away star Kate had replaced host Sarah.
Beneath Fitzy and Wippa’s announcement post on Instagram, many listeners flocked to the comments section to say they will no longer tune in to the station due to Sarah being replaced.
‘How incredibly disappointing and disrespectful. Not even a goodbye or a thank you to Sarah. After all those years, how come you don’t even mention her?
They added scathingly in part of the post: “I couldn’t think of anything worse than listening to Kate every morning.”
One fan said: ‘Looks like this is my last day listening to Fitzy and Wippa. The worst decision to bring Kate. I’m sure she’s a lovely person, but she’s very irritating on the radio. Bring Sarah back!
However, some listeners said they were looking forward to hearing Kate on the air.
“It’s great to see Kate back on the airways,” one person wrote.
Another said they had “missed” Kate.
Underneath Sarah’s own International Women’s Day post this week and before the official announcement was made, she also received a huge amount of support from fans.
‘Our mornings are not the same without you. Changing stations until you return (or following you to your next fabulous concert)”, wrote one user.
“I miss hearing your voice Sarah, it’s just not the same,” said another.
Underneath Sarah’s own International Women’s Day post this week and before the official announcement was made, she also received a huge amount of support from fans.
Underneath Sarah’s own International Women’s Day post this week and before the official announcement was made, she also received a huge amount of support from fans.
“Look who came over for breakfast,” Fitzy and Wippa’s announcement post read, along with a photo of Kate, Fitzy, and Wippa.
Nova confirmed in a statement on Friday that Ritchie would join Fitzgerald and Wipfli on their Sydney breakfast show from March 13.
“I am very excited to join Fitzy and Wippa in the competitive breakfast space,” said Ritchie.
“I am a huge fan of the show and have been a great partner to the guys for years. The past eight years of driving have been a big 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 to two of the industry’s most beloved breakfast hosts.”
Fitzgerald and Wipfli added: ‘We have pestered Kate in the office for over ten years; now we can do it every morning.
“We are excited for our audience to hear how funny Kate thinks we are. Nova’s listeners have always loved Kate and now they’ll be serving her up every day of the week. Please, she enjoys your breakfast.
The announcement comes a day after Ricki-Lee Coulter was confirmed as Ritchie’s replacement on the national Kate, Tim and Joel driving show.
Nova confirmed in a statement on Friday that Ritchie would join Fitzgerald and Wipfli on their Sydney breakfast show from March 13. “I am very excited to join Fitzy and Wippa in the competitive breakfast space,” said Ritchie.
The announcement comes a day after Ricki-Lee Coulter was confirmed as Ritchie’s replacement on the national Kate, Tim and Joel driving show.
Ritchie had been absent from the evening schedule for months, during which time he checked himself into a rehab center for alcohol dependency.
Nova FM staff recently spoke of their ‘shock’ and ‘confusion’ over Sarah’s sudden departure.
Current and former employees of the radio station told Daily Mail Australia they were shocked by the news that McGilvray was being sidelined, with some only finding out about it through the press last week.
A staff member said her departure was “brutal” for someone who had “gave a decade of her life” to a radio show and was popular with listeners, adding that she was “put aside without even a proper goodbye.” .
The Nova boys are baffled. Most people didn’t even know about it until the stories broke. Everyone had been asking, “Where’s Sarah?” and they were confused,’ said another.
Nova FM staff recently spoke of their ‘shock’ and ‘confusion’ over Sarah’s sudden departure
McGilvray worked on Fitzy and Wippa for 12 years, eight of which he co-hosted with Fitzgerald and Wipfli. Prior to that, she was a Senior Producer for the Sydney Breakfast Show.
His departure had not been acknowledged on the air since he disappeared from the show nearly four weeks ago after an outburst with management about his role at the network.
A source with knowledge of the discussion said McGilvray was “upset and angry” at her bosses for effectively taking her job by bringing in Ritchie as the third anchor.
Nova executives apparently tried to offer her a “comfort deal” that would see her take on a “management-type role” within the company, but she turned it down and left.
Nova executives apparently tried to offer her a “comfort deal” that would see her take on a “management-type role” within the company, but she turned it down and left.