You guessed it! Joel Creasey replaces Marty Sheargold on Nova

Nova's new drive team. Tim Blackwell, Kate Ritchie & Joel Creasey.

After weeks of speculation, Nova has revealed Melbourne comedian Joel Creasey will join Kate Ritchie and Tim Blackwell on the network’s top-rating drive show from September 14.

The announcement was made just after 5pm on the Kate, Tim & Marty show Friday (August 21).

As first reported by Radio Today, Sheargold departs on September 11 in the program’s biggest changing of the guard since Kate Ritchie arrived from television to replace Meshel Laurie in 2014.

NOVA Entertainment’s chief programming and marketing officer, Paul Jackson, believes Creasey’s national appeal made him “the perfect choice” to join Ritchie and Blackwell home.

“For over six years Nova’s drive team have built a loyal following with their audience,” he said.

“When looking for the right person to co-host the show, we wanted someone quick-witted, energetic and who had great chemistry with our popular drive hosts – Kate and Tim.

Sydney-born Creasey – who lives in Melbourne with his model partner and is affectionately known as “Australia’s Acid Tongue Prince” – has appeared on Nova many times in recent years.

Joel Creasey is ready to make Australia laugh on new radio gig. 

The decision to install a much younger and openly gay third wheel to the primetime slot will be seen by many in the industry as a progressive and bold move by network bosses.

Creasey declared that after ten years of big hair and colourful suits on TV, he’s excited for people to get to know him “unfiltered” and “unvarnished”.

“Naturally when you think of a logical replacement for Marty, you go ‘Joel Creasey’,” he said.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining the national drive show alongside Kate and Tim, who I’ve shared many a beverage with over the years.

“Having appeared on Neighbours upwards of four times it’s not only given me the confidence to achieve anything, but I’m also excited for Kate and I to discuss our illustrious soap careers.”

Kate Ritchie said: “It’s kind of embarrassing for Joel that he felt the need to join our show permanently if all he was looking for was yet another attempt at Quick Draw. I’ve loved beating him, and he’s always been an okay guest, so Tim and I would have welcomed him back in a heartbeat, albeit briefly. In all honesty though…we are looking forward to having him join the team!”

Tim Blackwell said: “I’ve known Joel for years and have no doubt he’ll fit in seamlessly with Kate and I. I’ll just have to make sure I run him through some of the FM radio basics before our first show… For example, DJ Khaled and Khalid are not the same person. Nova’s Red Room isn’t a nightclub and you must be able to go to the toilet and back during an Ariana Grande song. Nail these basics and there will be no stopping us!”

Marty Sheargold is rumoured to be in negotiations for a podcast deal.

Creasey was the radio industry’s top pick to replace Sheargold in the last Radio Today reader poll.

He topped a shortlist of 20 potential candidates and hopefuls, collecting over 14% of all votes. Creasey was followed by Merrick Watts, Tom Gleeson, Hamish Blake and Peter Helliar.

Kate, Tim & Marty have proven a fan favourite with metropolitan listeners around the country and in the most recent GfK survey were the #1 FM drive show in all metro markets.

Sheargold’s next move is unknown, however, there is plenty of industry speculation about a podcast and more stand-up comedy after he announced his return to stages last year.