Two huge stars are leaving Nova radio station amid news that Kate Ritchie will be stepping away from her show Kate, Tim and Joel following a “hectic and full-on” year.
Earlier this year, Kate was caught drink driving in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs with a blood alcohol reading of 0.06. Her license was suspended and she was fined $600.
Yesterday, Kate revealed that she would be stepping away from her drive show, but would return in 2023.
“This past year has been incredibly hectic and full-on for both me and my family,” she said. “I have had much change and increased stress in my life, like many of you, in a short space of time. And it has taken its toll,” she said in a statement.
It continued, “And as you may have guessed, I invest a lot of emotional energy into everything I do, my work, and my family especially, and the last few months I have been working on radio, I’ve been returning to TV, and in my spare time, I even wrote a children’s book.”
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“Nova has been fabulous and understanding, so thank you Nova, and thank you Tim, Joel and the team, and most importantly, thank you to all of our fabulous listeners. I really mean that.”
The news of Kate’s exit has become somewhat of a mass exodus, with fellow NOVA employees Sam Pang, Jonathan Brown and Dean ‘Deano’ Thomas announcing that they are leaving the station. Sam and Jonathan were part of the Chrissie, Sam & Browny which is finishing up after seven years on the air. Dean ‘Deano’ Thomas was an anchor on the show. Chrissie will have a new role within the station.
“We have relied on each other in this studio and it’s a good idea to put a bow on what has been this entire experience for all of us and bow out gracefully,’ Chrissie, 48, said on-air.
She added, “I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved professionally and personally since we first met in 2015 — especially the last few years as we all kept each other afloat during the pandemic.”
Jonathan said, “Geez we’ve had a good time. The highlight was travelling away, us three knuckleheads all together and we don’t then just walk out, we spend time together. We see each other socially as well.”
“You’ve been the breakout star of the last seven years,” Sam told Jonathan. “It’s been a privilege doing breakfast radio in my hometown.”
Sam responded: “I’ve loved my time at Nova and I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in the show over the past seven years. I would especially like to thank the listeners for their support.
“It has been a wonderful experience. I’ve made some life-long friends and feel very lucky to have worked with such an amazing team.”
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