Joel Creasey: Perth-raised Nova presenter set for solo lunchtime stint in major network shake-up

Perth-raised Nova radio presenter Joel Creasey has revealed he’s to launch his own national lunchtime show on the network, slated for debut in April.

The move comes amid a major shake-up for the broadcaster in which its top-end talent will take on opposing time slots, and in Creasey’s case, attempt to make it as a solo act.

On Friday, following months of speculation, Nova announced its Sydney breakfast show, Fitzy and Wippa with Kate Ritchie, would be pulled from the AM slot.

Nova’s national drive show Rikki Lee, Tim and Joel will be also cease, with Tim Blackwell and Ricki-Lee Coulter moved to Sydney breakfast, while Fitzy and Wippa with Kate Ritchie will move to the afternoon slot.

Appearing in his regular guest spot on Perth’s long-running Nathan, Nat & Shaun breakfast show, Creasey teased that an announcement was imminent.

And hours later, the comedian — who records his shows in Melbourne — confirmed he was “going solo” after five years in tandem with Blackwell and Coulter.

“I do love a bit of change, variety is the spice of life in my world,” Creasey said.

“I guess the bosses figured the world is already on fire. Let’s just pour more gasoline onto it and see what chaos people caught.”

Creasey was born in Sydney, and raised in Perth where he worked in Nova’s street team and launched his comedy career, before re-locating to Melbourne.

He joked that his renovation of a Melbourne apartment was a “giveaway” he would not be returning west.

In a statement released by the network on Friday afternoon, the 35-year-old thanked his co-stars while imploring listeners to continue tuning in.

“I’m doing a Ginger Spice and made the decision to go it solo! (I’ve waited over 20 years to say that!). Scintillating references like that and oh-so-very-much-more you can expect from The Joel Creasey Show launching Australia-wide across the Nova Network!

“It’s been an utter joy to be a member of the national Drive program for the past five years, and an honour to play a part in such a legacy show.

“I’ve learnt so much from Tim and Ricki-Lee and am so excited for us and wish them all the best (for their early alarms, that is, did you really think I’d be getting up at that time?!).

“As someone whose GIG it is to GIGGLE — and share that with our listeners — some of my greatest, bellyaching laughs have been with Tim and Ricki-Lee which I will forever cherish. And previously, of course, with the gorgeous Kate Ritchie.

“I’m off to the boardroom (*note to self: find out where the boardroom is) for the next little while to concoct something very special which, yes, I’m aware is cliche promotional slang.

“But if you’re familiar with my work, life, lunacy and sheer chaos that seems to follow me, strap in for a wild ride! Chat shortly, yeah? Zigah-zigah, Australia!”

Creasey — who is no stranger to working solo — told listeners his new show would sound “very different” without his side-kicks.

Nova Network’s Group Programming Director, Brendan Taylor, credited Creasey for his impact on the success of Ricki-Lee, Tim & Joel.

“Joel has been instrumental to the success of Ricki-Lee, Tim & Joel, which has consistently held the number one spot in its timeslot. We’re thrilled to announce this new show,” Mr Taylor said.

“Joel is an immensely talented broadcaster and comedian, and this is a fantastic opportunity to showcase his talents in an entirely new part of the day. We’re excited to add another world class talent to our new weekday line-up.”

NOVA Entertainment CEO, Peter Charlton, labelled Creasey an “enormous talent”.

He said the lunchtime appointment highlighted “our commitment to great content for listeners and new commercial opportunities for brands”.

Despite signalling a new era, Nova did not provide an update on the absence of Nathan Morris, who has not been sighted regular on Perth’s breakfast show for close to a year.

The network’s announcements follow the Friday news that Nine Radio, which has stations including Sydney’s 2GB, Melbourne’s 3AW, Brisbane’s 4BC and Perth’s 6PR, has been sold off for $56 million.