Kate Ritchie’s secret feud with Marty Sheargold has been revealed after the disgraced radio host was axed by Triple M over sexist remarks he made about the Matildas this week.
Sheargold, 53, was dumped from his lucrative radio gig on Wednesday after he called the all-women’s soccer team ‘Year 10 girls’ among other comments, with insiders and other showbusiness stars since coming out of the woodworks to slam his behaviour.
One source has also shed light on the allegedly tumultuous working relationship he had with Ritchie, 46, when they worked together on the Nova national drivetime show Kate, Tim & Marty, reported news.com.au on Friday.
The publication claimed to have spoken with several radio staffers and executives who alleged Sheargold never hid his dislike of certain colleagues, including co-host Ritchie who he worked with for seven years.
‘He wouldn’t talk to her during the ad breaks,’ one source said of Sheargold, who had an antagonistic relationship with Ritchie on-air before he left the show in 2020.
The ratings juggernaut often saw Ritchie and Sheargold, who hosted alongside Tim Blackwell, fling snide remarks at one another in the name of amassing a huge national audience which reportedly landed Sheargold a salary of $2million a year.
Kate Ritchie’s, 46, secret feud with Marty Sheargold, 53, has been revealed after the disgraced radio host was axed by Triple M over sexist remarks he made about the Matildas this week. Pictured L to R: Tim Blackwell, Kate Ritchie, Marty Sheargold
Ritchie claimed during an interview in 2018 she considered Sheargold’s taunts toward her playful, comparing their relationship to a sibling rivalry.
However, insiders who worked closely with the show have since claimed while their tension on-air was ‘healthy’, their interactions behind-the-scenes painted a different story.
The source said Sheargold’s disdain for Ritchie grew so great he refused to speak to her during ad-breaks and wouldn’t accept emails which were also addressed to the former Home and Away star.
Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Ritchie and Sheargold for comment.
Triple M axed Sheargold on Wednesday after he was blasted for comments about the Matildas that have been branded un-Australian, sexist and disgusting.
The actor and comedian made the remarks on his radio show on Monday as he reacted to the team’s 2-1 loss to the USA at the SheBelieves Cup, which came on the heels of their 4-0 loss to Japan to open the tournament.
Sheargold told listeners ‘there’s something wrong with the Matildas’ before comparing the team to ‘Year 10 girls’ and asking if superstar striker Sam Kerr and her fiancee Kristie Mewis ‘play the same position’.
When his co-hosts tried to continue discussing the SheBelieves Cup, Sheargold jumped in, exclaiming: ‘Oh, she believes in what? It better be men.’
‘He wouldn’t talk to her during the ad breaks,’ one source said of Sheargold, who had an antagonistic relationship with Ritchie on-air before he left the show in 2020
Triple M released a statement on Wednesday evening following the shocking comments, stating it has ‘mutually agreed to part ways’ with the radio star after four years of working together.
SCA’s chief content officer Dave Cameron said: ‘Triple M and Marty Sheargold have mutually agreed to part ways.
‘Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) takes its responsibility to listeners, shareholders, and clients seriously and its programming should align with the standards and expectations of its audience.
‘Right now, it’s clear this is a moment for reflection and review. Triple M, and the wider SCA network, will continue to take all necessary steps to support staff.
‘A new Drive show will be announced in due course. Triple M acknowledges Marty’s contribution over the past four years, and we wish him well for the future.’
Sheargold also released a statement on his exit from the radio network, adding an apology to the Matildas for his ‘sexist’ remarks.
‘Having mutually agreed to part ways with the Triple M Network, I fully understand the gravity of my comments,’ he said.
‘I’d like to sincerely apologise to the Matildas and the broader organisation. I would also like to thank my immediate team for their hard work and apologise for the situation they now find themselves in.’
Sheargold was dumped from his lucrative radio gig on Wednesday after he called the all-women’s soccer team ‘Year 10 girls’ among other comments, with insiders and other showbusiness stars since coming out of the woodworks to slam his behaviour
Sheargold’s axing from Triple M was foreshadowed earlier in the day when the broadcaster did not air his show in the usual time slot.
The radio star’s co-hosts Troy Ellis and Will Ralston were also absent as the broadcaster filled the airtime with music and commercials when the program was meant to air at 3pm in NSW and Queensland.
Following Sheargold’s remarks about Kerr and her fiancee Mewis on Monday, the conversation then moved to Australia hosting the women’s Asian Cup next year.
‘Oh god. The Asian Cup,’ Sheargold said.
‘I’d rather hammer a nail through the head of my penis than watch that. Got any men’s sport?’
His outburst was described as ‘outrageous’ by interim Matildas coach Tom Sermanni, who was part of a chorus of criticism.
Sheargold was also slammed by Federal Sports Minister Anika Wells, Matildas midfielder Clare Wheeler and the players’ union, Professional Footballers Australia.
PFA chief executive Beau Busch described the remarks as ‘disgusting, pathetic and deeply misogynistic’, while Football Australia lashed out at Sheargold’s comments in a statement on Wednesday.
Sheargold also took aim at Matildas superstar Sam Kerr (right) and her fiancee Kristie Mewis (left) during his shocking outburst
‘As sporting teams we’re used to criticism but sometimes the comments cross the line,’ Sermanni said.
‘That one certainly did cross the line; it was completely unnecessary and generally outrageous.
‘It’s something that from a behavioural perspective is really very disappointing.
‘The comments just crossed the line and were basically out of order and very unnecessary.’
Wells branded his comments ‘boorish, boring and wrong’ while former Matildas star Alex Chidiak wrote that she was ‘so sick of this s**t’ and Wheeler said, ‘Sport is for everyone and these views are for no one.’
Sheargold issued an apology on social media on Wednesday morning, writing: ‘Any comedy, including mine, can miss the mark sometimes, and I can see why people may have taken offence to my comments regarding the Matildas. I sincerely apologise.’
Triple M also apologised on social media on Wednesday, writing, ‘Marty Sheargold’s comments regarding the Matildas made on Triple M Drive on Monday, 24 February do not align with Triple M’s views and values, and Triple M remains steadfast in its strong support of all women’s and men’s sports. We sincerely apologise for any offence or distress caused.’
However, the apologies went over badly with many fans, who blasted the broadcaster for blocking fans from expressing their thoughts on the post.
‘Nothing like making an apology and then turning comments off,’ one wrote.
‘”I can see why people may have taken offence.” That’s not taking responsibility, that’s shifting blame. Taking responsibility would be “My actions/words were offensive and I apologise.” That’s not an apology, that’s a deflection,’ added another.
Sheargold’s comments sparked a fierce reaction on social media, with many people calling for him to be fired from Triple M.
One commenter on X wrote: ‘Disgusting he is a pos and should be sacked.’
‘Sorry you took offence at my poor attempt at comedy’ is not an apology and it is disgraceful that Marty Sheargold is still employed by @TripleMMelb after his misogynistic rant,’ added another.
‘His sexist and homophobia shouldn’t be allowed airtime in 2025,’ wrote another sports fan who wants Sheargold removed from his job.
‘Marty Sheargold, count your days. This is one of the worst things I’ve heard said on radio in a long time,’ added another, who also listed several broadcasting rules she claimed the DJ had breached with his comments.
Sheargold’s fellow Triple M presenter, Aussie Olympic swimming great Leisel Jones, broke down in tears live on air on Wednesday as she discussed his comments.
‘The comments are so hurtful against women’s sport that The Marty Sheargold Show shared. And obviously I’ve been quite upset all morning, and I was upset when I came in,’ Jones said.
