Tim Blackwell and Joel Creasy put on brave faces while partying WITHOUT Kate Ritchie
Tim Blackwell and Joel Creasy were all set for Nova’s pride boat party on Thursday night, despite the absence of co-star Kate Ritchie.
Kate, co-host of the Kate, Tim and Joel Show Drivingwas nowhere to be seen as the couple joined singer Jack Vidgen and MasterChef star Khanh Ong for the festivities.
Both men shared a series of images from the event on social media, in which they appeared relaxed and happy despite the recent drama.
Joel snuggled up to singer Michelle Stephenson, while Tim spent time with Ricki-Lee Coulter, who has replaced Kate on the radio show since October.
Ricki-Lee had arrived with Joel and Tim, the trio showing unity as they made their way to the party.
Tim Blackwell and Joel Creasy were all set for Nova’s pride boat party on Thursday night, despite the absence of co-star Kate Ritchie. Pictured with Ricki-Lee Coulter
It comes after Nova FM staff have spoken of their ‘shock’ and ‘confusion’ over the sudden departure of Fitzy and Wippa co-host Sarah McGilvray.
Current and former employees of the radio station told Daily Mail Australia they were shocked by the news that McGilvray was being passed over to make way for incoming co-host Kate Ritchie, with some only learning about it through the press. this 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.
Joel snuggled up to singer Michelle Stephenson (right)
Tim spent time with Ricki-Lee Coulter, who has replaced Kate on the radio show since October.
Kate, co-host of the Kate, Tim & Joel driving show, was nowhere to be seen.
The couple were joined by singer Jack Vidgen (right) and MasterChef star Khanh Ong (left)
McGilvray worked on Fitzy and Wippa for 12 years, eight of which he co-hosted with Ryan ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgerald and Michael ‘Wippa’ Wipfli. Prior to that, she was a Senior Producer for the Sydney Breakfast Show.
His departure has not been acknowledged on the air since he disappeared from the show nearly three 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.
Joel seemed relaxed on the spree
Jack walked in wearing a sensational outfit.
Tim also seemed to be enjoying himself on board the party boat.
The Fitzy and Wippa show is taking a “business as usual” approach by not mentioning McGilvray’s absence, despite listeners flooding their social media pages with questions about when he will return.
A source said that it “feels like she never existed, even though she was the heart and soul of the show.”
His departure may have gone largely unnoticed by the media had it not been for his former colleagues on The Kyle and Jackie O Show speaking on air on Thursday.
The turmoil and backstabbing at Nova 96.9 was laid bare yesterday when the KIIS FM crew openly discussed ‘industry gossip’ about McGilvray’s departure.
The ship was dressed in the colors of the rainbow for the event.
It comes after Nova FM staff have spoken of their ‘shock’ and ‘confusion’ over the sudden departure of Fitzy and Wippa co-host Sarah McGilvray.
They discussed how the drama caused by Ritchie’s prolonged absence from Nova’s national driving program had resulted in McGilvray, one of Nova’s most popular and dedicated on-air talents, leaving the station.
McGilvray was apparently ‘kicked out’ of the Fitzy & Wippa Breakfast Show after years as the partner of co-hosts Fitzgerald and Wipfli to make way for Ritchie, who is being recruited as a new third host.
Fitzgerald and Wipfli are said to be unhappy with the move, as they remain loyal to McGilvray.
While it’s unclear why Ritchie, who has been on a ‘lay-off’ since October, is leaving the Kate, Tim and Joel Show Drivingher move to breakfast was apparently orchestrated by Nova’s management because she still has a year left on her contract and they needed something for her to do.
Actress-turned-radio host Kate Ritchie (pictured), who has been on a “break” from Nova’s national driving show since October, will soon take over McGilvray’s job on Fitzy and Wippa.
His unit co-hosts Tim Blackwell and Joel Creasey have yet to comment on his breakfast move, but Daily Mail Australia understands there have been tensions between Ritchie and Blackwell for months.
Speaking about the changes at Nova on Thursday, KIIS FM host Kyle Sandilands expressed sadness that McGilvray, a former producer for Kyle and Jackie O, had been ousted in the reshuffle.
His co-host, Jackie ‘O’ Henderson, also confirmed a long-standing rumor that Ritchie is being replaced on the record by his regular stand-in, Ricki-Lee Coulter.
Apparently, they’re all upside down in Nova. All the shit has been loosed there,” Sandilands said at the start of the discussion.
Current and former employees of the radio station told Daily Mail Australia they were shocked by the news that McGilvray (pictured) was being pushed aside to make way for incoming co-host Kate Ritchie.
Henderson agreed that “some changes” were taking place, with producer Peter Deppeler saying that he had heard that Nova was having “huge back-end problems”.
Sandilands added: “I think they’re putting that girl from Home and Away [Ritchie] in the breakfast program is what I have heard.
Henderson confirmed that it wasn’t just a rumor, saying, “Yes, they are.”
When Sandilands asked what was going on with Ritchie’s afternoon show, Deppeler said Coulter would be taking a full-time position.
Fitzy and Wippa’s (team pictured) show is taking a “business as usual” approach by not mentioning McGilvray’s absence, despite listeners flooding their social media pages with questions about when he’ll return.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Nova Entertainment for comment.
the aussie was first to report last week that Ritchie was planning to jump from Nova’s national driving show to the network’s Sydney breakfast show.
Ritchie announced last year that he would be taking a break from Kate, Tim and Joel to focus on his health, but network sources said he would not return.
The 44-year-old, who during her time away from the microphone sought treatment at a rehab facility, reportedly had her sights set on joining Fitzy and Wippa, a move that could give the show a much-needed ratings boost.
Ritchie’s drive-time co-hosts Tim Blackwell (centre) and Joel Creasey have yet to comment on their breakfast move, but Daily Mail Australia understands there have been tensions between Ritchie and Blackwell for months.
Ritchie has remained silent on his return date, despite teasing in January that he would be back on the air with his co-hosts Creasey and Blackwell in a matter of weeks.
The former soap opera actress, who has hosted Nova’s national show since 2014, announced in October that she was stepping down.
It was later revealed that she was seeking treatment for alcohol dependency, after photos of her outside a recovery clinic were obtained by Daily Mail Australia.
She later said in a statement that the challenges of the past year had led to an “unhealthy dependency on alcohol.”
Meanwhile, the mother of one’s love life has been making headlines after she was recently spotted kissing her new boyfriend Chevy Black on Clovelly Beach in Sydney.