They are three of Australia’s most recognisable radio stars and are renowned for their hilarious and cheeky banter.
The veteran presenters all have long celebrated careers in showbusiness, having worked in film, television, stand-up comedy and even AFL before they became radio stars.
One of them began their career as an actor on Channel Seven‘s Home and Away in the late ’80s, while another played for the Sydney Swans from 1999 – 2001.
The third has appeared in several well known Aussie TV shows, including Underbelly and The Project.
On Thursday, the trio shared some unrecognisable photos to social media which captured them as youngsters.
Two of them beamed brightly in school yearbook photos and another was seen riding his bicycle.
One of them began their career on Channel Seven’s Home and Away in the late ’80s and another played for the Sydney Swans from 1999 – 2001
Despite being almost unrecognisable in the photos, they still had the same cheeky grins they are known for.
Of course, it is Nova breakfast radio stars Ryan Fitzgerald, Michael Wipfli and Kate Ritchie.
The Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie stars shared the hilarious photos to mark Sydney children returning to school: ‘Happy first day back at school!!! Check out these cuties. And to all those starting Kindy today we are thinking of you – you got this!’
The trio have developed a reputation for their hilarious on-air chats – and for supporting each other during difficult times.
Earlier this week, Fitzy, 48, and Wippa, 45, addressed their co-star Kate Ritchie‘s recent public meltdown.
Last week, images emerged of Ritchie, 46, acting erratically after picking up her daughter from school.
On Tuesday morning’s radio show, the pair showed their support to their co-host and said they’re proud of her for speaking out about her struggles with mental health after she issued a public statement.
‘The support for Kate over the past few days has been unbelievable. This is an ongoing battle… we will back Kate till the bank,’ Fitzy said live on air.
The Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie stars shared the photos to mark Sydney children returning to school
Wippa added: ‘We are so moved by all the comments and calls here at Nova showing her support.
‘That’s why we celebrate Kate for putting her hand up and being so brave. I’m so proud of my friend for putting a statement out.’
It comes after Nova radio staff said they had grown increasingly concerned about Ritchie’s precarious mental state and erratic behaviour in recent months and feared it was only a matter of time before she suffered a public meltdown.
Station insiders contacted Daily Mail Australia as recently as Tuesday last week warning they were worried Ritchie was struggling to cope with the demands of her high-profile, $1million-a-year breakfast radio job.
‘It’s getting really bad and we’re all really worried about Kate,’ one Nova source said just one week ago.
‘She’s taken this week off when it’s supposed to be her first week back on air for the ratings year – that’s a massive deal. We don’t really know what’s going on or how long it will be allowed to go on for – something’s going have to give.’
Meanwhile, Ritchie broke her silence on Monday after she was spotted rocking and forth while crying in a public park last week as her young daughter watched on from the backseat of their rented car, the engine still idling.
Earlier, Ritchie had attracted the attention of the paparazzi after stopping off at a bottle shop on the way to pick up her daughter from her first day back at primary school.
In a statement shared to Instagram on Monday, the actress said she has been dealing with mental health struggles and will be taking a break from her radio show.
In Ritchie’s absence, it was left to fellow network star Chrissie Swan to fill in alongside Fitzy and Wippa, while also continuing to front her own eponymous afternoon show at the same time.
If you or anyone you know needs immediate support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via lifeline.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
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