Tim Blackwell breaks silence on the shock departure of his former Nova co-star Kate Ritchie from their drive time radio show
Tim Blackwell has spoken out after his former co-star Kate Ritchie made a shock departure from Nova FM's Kate, Tim & Joel drive show in October.
Appearing on the show Shock Jocks this week, Blackwell was asked what prompted Ritchie's exit.
'That's a question for her, I know nothing' the 41-year-old radio personality said in response.
After quitting the show following a long absence and stint at rehab for alcohol dependency, the popular radio host, 44, was replaced by Ricki-Lee Coulter.
'I think it ran its course and I think she wanted a new opportunity... and Ricki was around as well,' Tim added.
![Tim Blackwell (left) has spoken out after his former co-star Kate Ritchie (centre) made a shock departure from Nova FM 's Kate, Tim & Joel drive show in October. Pictured with Joel Creasey](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/03/09/06/68498061-11838545-After_quitting_the_show_following_a_months_long_stint_at_rehab_f-a-11_1678341952895.jpg)
Tim Blackwell (left) has spoken out after his former co-star Kate Ritchie (centre) made a shock departure from Nova FM 's Kate, Tim & Joel drive show in October. Pictured with Joel Creasey
Ricki-Lee replaced Kate on the show earlier this year, with the program rebranded as the Ricki-Lee, Tim & Joel Show.
Tim spoke fondly of Ricki-Lee, calling her 'a bit of a control freak; who 'knows what she wants' and added, 'that's why we love her so much.'
Kate is now starring on Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie, also on Nova.
One of Australia's biggest music stars, Ricki, 37, said she was 'so happy' to be taking over the segment alongside co-hosts Tim Blackwell and Joel Creasey, which has now been renamed Ricki-Lee, Tim & Joel.
'I love Tim and Joel like the brothers I never had but always wanted, and I have been having so much fun in the studio with them – they are the best in the business!' she said in a statement to Daily Mail Australia.
![Appearing on the show Shock Jocks this week, Blackwell was asked what prompted Ritchie's exit. 'That's a question for her, I know nothing' the 41-year-old radio personality said](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/07/08/72952363-12274125-image-a-4_1688714490851.jpg)
Appearing on the show Shock Jocks this week, Blackwell was asked what prompted Ritchie's exit. 'That's a question for her, I know nothing' the 41-year-old radio personality said
'I have so much love for Kate and I'm so happy I've been able to help out on the Drive show over the last year. I am pumped to be officially joining the Nova family!'
Tim and Joel added that they are equally excited to have Ricki-Lee onboard, saying her 'energy gets us all up and about each and every day'.
Meanwhile, Kate said she wishes her successor the best of luck in her new role and was 'thrilled' to be moving onto something new.
'I've had an incredible eight years as part of Nova's Drive team, and I wish Ricki-Lee all the luck in the world,' she said.
'I'm thrilled to be taking on an exciting new challenge and I can't wait to share what I'm doing next.'
![After quitting the show following a long absence and stint at rehab for alcohol dependency, the popular radio host, 44, was replaced by Ricki-Lee Coulter (left)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/07/08/71847257-12274125-After_quitting_the_show_following_a_long_absence_and_stint_at_re-a-7_1688716393960.jpg)
After quitting the show following a long absence and stint at rehab for alcohol dependency, the popular radio host, 44, was replaced by Ricki-Lee Coulter (left)
![Kate is now starring on Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie, also on Nova. Pictured with co-stars Ryan Fitzgerald and Michael Wipfli](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/03/09/21/68528783-11841653-image-a-31_1678397878425.jpg)
Kate is now starring on Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie, also on Nova. Pictured with co-stars Ryan Fitzgerald and Michael Wipfli
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'.
Meanwhile, Ryan 'Fitzy' Fitzgerald and Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli's co-host Sarah McGilvray faced a 'brutal' exit from the show, making way for Kate's big debut.
Nova FM staff spoke of their 'shock' and 'confusion' over the sudden exit of Fitzy and Wippa's long-serving co-anchor.
Sarah worked on Fitzy and Wippa for 12 years, spending eight of those as a co-host alongside Ryan 'Fitzy' Fitzgerald and Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli. Before that, she was a senior producer for the Sydney breakfast program.
!['I think it ran its course and I think she wanted a new opportunity... and Ricki was around as well' Tim added](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/07/08/68526813-11841653-The_actual_announcement_happened_live_on_air_on_Friday_at_8am_bu-a-17_1688714174389.jpg)
'I think it ran its course and I think she wanted a new opportunity... and Ricki was around as well' Tim added
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