How Kate Ritchie once hung up on Fitzy & Wippa when they joked she had a drinking problem… as she joins their show months after going to rehab
Kate Ritchie has been announced as new co-host alongside Ryan 'Fitzy' Fitzgerald and Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli on their breakfast radio show.
But it appears the trio have had a rocky relationship in the past.
In 2016, Kate hung up on Fitzy & Wippa after they joked she had a drinking problem while interviewing her former Home And Away co-star Lynne McGranger.
During the chat, the duo revealed their personal nickname for Kate was 'Kritch,' and Lynne jumped in, remarking that she had a friend in England with the same moniker.
'I had a mate in England called Kritch - he was an alcoholic!' she laughed.
How Kate Ritchie once hung up on Fitzy & Wippa when they joked she had a drinking problem… as she joins their show months after going to rehab
The revelation came much to Fitzy & Wippa's amusement who were heard bursting into fits of laughter.
A few seconds after the pair revealed they had received an angry message from Kate reading: 'You're both a disgrace.'
The cheeky duo then decided to give her a call, predicting: 'She will not answer! It's because we made the drinking joke.'
Kate finally picked up the phone and appeared quite disgruntled by their previous remarks.
'Hello - I am off running around on my errands this morning and seriously Fitzy & Wippa, find something else to talk about!' she said.
Fitzy quickly chimed in saying: 'Isn't it amazing that there is another Kritch with a drinking problem on the other side of the world?'
The remark resulted in Kate abruptly hanging up on them.
'Oops she has gone! That's not the first time she has hung up on us!' Wippa laughed as he accused Lynne of exposing her drinking problem.
But Lynne defended herself, saying: 'I didn't say anything about her drinking problem you did!'
Adding: 'And she doesn't even have one!'
In 2016, Kate hung up on Fitzy & Wippa after they joked she had a drinking problem while interviewing her former Home And Away co-star Lynne McGranger
On Friday, Nova confirmed in a statement that Ritchie would be joining Fitzgerald and Wipfli on their Sydney breakfast show from March 13.
'I am so excited to be joining Fitzy and Wippa in the very competitive breakfast slot,' Ritchie said.
'I'm a huge fan of the show and I’ve been great mates with the boys for years. The past eight years on drive has 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.'
Fitzgerald and Wipfli added: 'We've been annoying Kate around the office for over ten years; now we get to do it every morning.
'We are excited for our audience to hear how funny Kate thinks we are. Nova listeners have always loved Kate and now she'll be served up every weekday. Please enjoy your breakfast.'
Nova confirmed in a statement on Friday that Ritchie would be joining Fitzgerald and Wipfli on their Sydney breakfast show from March 13
The announcement comes a day after Ricki-Lee Coulter was confirmed as Ritchie's replacement on the Kate, Tim and Joel national drive show.
Kate announced last year she was taking a break from her radio show to focus on her health, but sources at the network said she wouldn't return.
It was later revealed she was seeking treatment for alcohol dependency, after Daily Mail Australia obtained photos of her outside a rehab facility.
The ex-Home and Away actress subsequently said in a statement the challenges of the past year had led to an 'unhealthy reliance on alcohol'.
Kate announced last year she was taking a break from her radio show to focus on her health, but sources at the network said she wouldn't return. It was later revealed she was seeking treatment for alcohol dependency
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