Latest news with #FitzyWippa
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Kate Ritchie makes emotional return to radio after six-month break: ‘Sydney has missed you'
Kate Ritchie has made a welcome return to breakfast radio after six months off the airwaves. The beloved radio personality returned to her co-hosting gig on Nova's Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie on Friday morning with co-hosts Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli and Ryan 'Fitzy' Fitzgerald excitedly announcing she was back in the studio. 'We've missed you, Kate. It's so good to have you back, mate, it really is,' Wipfli said on air. 'Sydney has missed you. I've had so many people stop me and say, 'How's Kate? When's she coming back. We miss Kate.'' 'That is lovely,' Ritchie replied. 'And I have heard much the same.' The former Home And Away star was last on radio in late January before announcing in a statement in early February that she was taking break from the show to focus on her mental health. At the time, invasive paparazzi photos that showed Ritchie appearing distressed as she spoke on the phone in a park where published by tabloid outlet Daily Mail. In her statement, Ritchie called out the paparazzi for their 'relentless stalking' of her. 'The images of me taken last week show that I wasn't OK on that day,' she wrote in her statement at the time. 'My struggle is not helped by the relentless stalking of the paparazzi, in fact they are making it much worse.' 'Due to their constant harassment, they significantly add pressure and make my recovery that much more difficult.' Although upon her return she did not share details on her time away from Nova HQ, Ritchie said it was good to be back, telling he co-hosts and the entire crew that she 'missed you very much'. But the formalities ended there with Wipfli and Fitzgerald itching to playfully roast Ritchie for her absence. 'To go on a six-month holiday … like Italy was great, you sent me photos from Indonesia, round-the-world trips,' Wipfli joked. Ever the good sport, Ritchie replied, 'I've been everywhere, man. I've been everywhere.' 'No, it was very exciting to be back this morning. [Producer] Tommy [Ivey] met me in the car park in case somebody was parked in my spot because we didn't want to kick off with me having a tantrum down there,' she said, 'No, that's why you left last time,' Wipfli chimed in. Ritchie said that there were so many changes made in the building since she left, from the carpet to a news glass door. But after some 'really awkward … small talk' as she made her way to the studio, she has nicely settled in again – albeit while battling a cold. 'The fact that you went and got a cold so you can fit in with the rest of the team, it's wonderful commitment to the team,' Wipfli told her. Ritchie revealed that she 'nearly rushed back' sooner after seeing a series of worrying videos on Wipfli's Instagram Stories. 'I have to say, I think everything happens as it's meant to happen, and I love that I'm back here this morning,' she said. 'I've missed you and blah blah blah … but I was going to rush back a few weeks ago because I thought I was going to have to conduct a linguine intervention.' 'I was watching your socials thinking I've got to get back there because no one is looking after this guy,' she told Wipfli. When he replied that 'someone has to stop this mouth,' Ritchie quipped, 'That includes the talking.' Jokes aside, Wipfli and Fitzgerald remained Ritchie's biggest supporters this past year. They had her back when she stepped away from the show in January, saying at the time they respected her decision while also calling out the Daily Mail for publishing the photos of their 'beautiful colleague and close friend'. 'Thank you for all the calls and all the messages that we've received and Kate's been receiving,' Wipfli said on air in February 'We've all been chatting with her and checking in regularly. Mental illness is tough and what was portrayed in the media was not right. There was an option to help and that was not taken, rather it was filmed and sold for commercial purposes.' Fitzgerald agreed, saying: 'What you saw last week, obviously visually she was very distressed.' 'In a time like that when you see someone who is visually struggling, like she was, our thought is to extend your arms and go over and try and support that person. 'Unfortunately, Kate felt like she wasn't supported, and now the whole world knows about it.'
News.com.au
4 days ago
- News.com.au
NSW police officer reveals why cops touch your car
A highway patrol officer who has served with NSW Police for two decades has revealed exactly why police touch your car after they have pulled you over. Sergeant Steven Planinic, who works in NSW's Auburn Highway Patrol, appeared on Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie to talk about a Beat The Blue event, an organise that aims to reduce road trauma by educating car enthusiasts. Ahead of the event, Sergeant Planinic, who has worked in the force for 20 years, busted some myths people had about driving rules. Gemma, from Parramatta, called in to the program to ask a question that many Australians had been curious about. 'I'd like to know why is it, when you pull someone over, that you tap the car and leave your fingerprints as you walk off back to your police car,' Gemma asked. The sergeant said there was a reason why police did this, but they didn't love to advertise it. 'We don't really like to tell people why we do it, because of the reason why we do it,' he said. 'And it's about, like you said, your fingerprints on the car. So I will let you use your imagination as to why we'd leave bits of ourselves on someone's car. 'Because, if something doesn't go well, and that person drives off, you've left a mark on that car that they can't refute.' Wippa then asked whether it was deliberate, and Sergeant Planinic confirmed that it was 'very much deliberate'. 'It's a couple things — it's making sure the boot is secure, so no one jumps out of it, and leaving a marker on the car.' Sergeant Planinic confirmed there were many similar procedures in NSW Police's Highway Patrol unit. He said the training was 'extensive' and designed to make sure officers got home safely. Social media users were stunned to learn the reasoning behind the car tap. 'I was today years old when I learnt this,' one said. Another added: 'Police over here in the UK are quite open why they do it. If they, god forbid, were to be shot in the line of duty while carrying out a check on a vehicle. It's so if they catch the offenders in the car, they have the police officers fingerprints, and DNA on the back of the car.' 'I never knew this never took any notice but there you go you learn something new everyday,' another said. In addition to his work as a police officer, Sergeant Planinic is also the president of Beat The Blue, which was founded in 2016. The organisation is holding its fifth event on August 9, where 99 civilians will go head to head with NSW Police officers on a wet skid pan. Sergeant Planinic said in the last five years, officers have won 80 per cent of the match-ups — proving how important safe driving is. All money raised goes to NSW Police Legacy.
News.com.au
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Squirming Dr Chris Brown grilled about new ‘love' on-air
Well, this is awkward. As news circulated today that Aussie TV presenter Dr. Chris Brown is in a new relationship, the super-private star had to front up for a pre-scheduled live radio interview and spent half his time batting away questions about his personal life. Dr Chris appeared in-studio at Nova 96.9's Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie this morning, ostensibly to talk up Sunday's TV Week Logie Awards on his network, Seven. But all hosts Fitzy and Wippa wanted to talk about was the 'glamorous TV publicist' he's been quietly dating over the past few months, as reported by Queensland-based publicist Lorraine Monforte, 41, worked behind-the-scenes at Brown's former employer Ten for the past 13 years, but was recently made redundant by the network. Usually one to keep his dating life private, Brown squirmed as the hosts tried to prise more details about the new romance out of him, live on-air. 'Take that smirk off your face,' Brown warned, as Wippa suggested they had 'so much to talk about.' 'I do love the fact that you guys are so fixated on my happiness, but also my personal life,' he said sarcastically. 'Of all the mornings where this story just happens to find its way out …' Brown was evasive when the hosts asked how long he and Monforte had been dating – but in batting away their question, he did manage to drop the 'L' word. 'You know, time's irrelevant in love, it just drifts.' Brown confirmed that Monforte had met his family, and sounded very content when the hosts asked if he was happy in his new relationship. 'I am happy, thank you,' he said. But the pair couldn't resist making him squirm a bit more before moving on to Logies chat. 'I don't want you to go into details, but where was the first kiss? On the lips?' Wippa asked, while Fitzy joked that he could 'hear the howling of single women in Bondi right now.' While he's been a fixture on Australian television for more than 20 years, Brown has usually managed to keep his dating life under wraps. He was most recently linked to Sydney model Brooke Meredith, whom he dated from 2020 until 2022. Speaking to Stellar in May last year, he told the outlet the 'right girl will be there at the right time', while confirming he was single at the time of publication. 'I would still like to have kids – I still feel that's very much a priority,' he told the magazine. 'Would I like to have done something about that in the last five years? Probably. But it hasn't worked out that way. 'If it hasn't happened naturally and I'm not a dad yet, then I'm OK with that. I'm not worried. I feel like it will happen when it happens. The last thing I want to do is force it and end up in a situation where I feel like I've rushed it. But, yeah, I'm taking my sweet time.'
Daily Mail
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Kate Ritchie fails to show up to annual Singles Party as she all but confirms her departure from Nova radio gig
Kate Ritchie has all but confirmed her departure from her Nova radio gig by failing to show up to the station's annual Singles Party on Tuesday night. The 46-year-old was absent from the event which was hosted by her co-hosts Ryan 'Fitzy' Fitzgerald and Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli. Kate did not feature in a video posted to the radio station's Instagram page recapping the event. She has not been mentioned in the lead up to the event although her name was still featured on station promos. There has been ongoing speculation over when she'll return to co-host Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie on Nova 96.9 following her sudden departure in January after a troubling public incident in a Sydney park. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Last month, Fitzy and Wippa shared some details about their Singles Party but made no mention if their absent co-star Kate would be attending. 'It's back, Fitzy, Wippa and Kate Ritchie's Singles Party returns! One night, one room, 100 chances to find the one,' a promo played on the station said. Wippa then chatted to Kate's fill-in presenter Chrissie Swan about the event and told her it was going to be a great night aboard a luxurious yacht on the Sydney Harbour. 'Chrissie, last year you weren't even there! You are not going to believe it, before the Slow Dance took place, a couple already held hands and wandered off because they were having such a good time together,' Wippa began. 'This is the power of the Singles Party and it is back again for 2025, bigger and better!' Fitzy then jumped it to discuss how diverse the event would be - but failed to mention if Kate would be attending. 'It was such an eclectic group of people we had [at last year's event]. A weird mix, ladies who had been unlucky in love, older men, private school boys, it was all over the ship and an amazing night,' Fitzy said. An excited Chrissie then said she needed to 'get in on this' and asked if she could attend, to which Fitzy responded: 'Yes... we need you here.' The radio network first shared the news of the event on June 1st, alongside a promo image featuring Fitzy, Wippa and Kate, who had been absent from the show for several months. Confused listeners demanded to know if Kate will be returning to the radio program after appearing on the event poster. 'Where is Kate? She has been absent all year and nothing has been mentioned about her coming back, is she returning or not?' one person asked. 'Hope Kate is going well, will she be returning this year?' another concerned fan said. Kate's Instagram bio doesn't mention Nova anymore; instead she is simply 'actor, radio and broadcaster' which may point to her making a quiet exit. Kate has been receiving ongoing support at a rehabilitation facility since the incident, which saw her photographed in tears and appearing visibly distressed shortly after picking up daughter Mae from school. At the time, Kate released a heartfelt statement on social media explaining her decision to step away from the show. 'I struggle with mental health issues at times, which are deeply personal. This has proven to be a bigger challenge than I imagined,' she began. 'So I have decided to take a break from the show and the team who I love to focus on my health. I want to thank all of those who are helping me through this very difficult time. Thank you Nova for being there when I need you.' At the time, Nova's co-hosts had promised their audience that the absent Kate would return after one day off, but that timeline was soon dropped. Nova has remained tight-lipped on any potential comeback date and did not respond to questions about whether the embattled star had continued to receive pay during her absence.
Daily Mail
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
How to save THOUSANDS on your next shop: The 'genius' AI trick everyone needs to know about
Aussie shoppers are losing it over a 'genius' money-saving trick that could help you thousands at checkout. Nova 96.9 presenter Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli revealed the simple hack during a recent segment on Fitzy & Wippa with Kate, explaining how he used AI to score a discount on an online order. 'Can I tell you what I did the other day? And it's a tip that we got on this show,' Wippa began, before launching into the trick that left his co-hosts stunned. While online shopping, Wippa said he was just about to complete his order when he spotted the 'coupon' prompt at checkout. Instead of skipping over it like many do, he turned to ChatGPT and asked it to look for active discount codes for the site he was shopping on. 'I went on ChatGPT and said, "Please search for any coupons that could be attached to the website",' he explained. 'It actually worked, I felt like a bit of a scammer... The software fired back five of them (discount codes) - there's always a 'Welcome10' or a 'Thanks15'. I got 15 per cent off my Labubu doll.' His co-host Ryan 'Fitzy' Fitzgerald was amazed by the discovery, saying: 'That is unbelievable' to which Wippa responded, 'Easy savings, guys.' Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli revealed the simple hack during a recent segment on Fitzy & Wippa with Kate, explaining how he used AI to score a discount on an online purchase The best part? The entire process took just seconds and cost him nothing. The AI-generated codes worked instantly, allowing Wippa to pocket a discount he would have otherwise missed. 'The AI Hack that could save you THOUSANDS,' the radio station said in its caption. While coupon browser extensions like Honey have been around for years, using AI tools like ChatGPT to search for codes on demand is a fresh, user-driven feature that's quickly catching on with savvy shoppers. Social media users have since called the tip a 'game-changer,' with many now trying it for everything from groceries and gifts to clothing and tech. 'I do this all the time,' one confessed. With the cost of living continuing to bite, it's a timely reminder that a few keystrokes - and a little AI assistance - could lead to some seriously savings. So next time you're about to check out, don't skip the coupon box - your wallet will thank you.
