Hit radio host Dave Hughes has confirmed that his co-host of almost twenty years, Kate Langbroek, has left the Hit Network.
Speaking on Hughesy & Kate on Monday, Dave stated that Kate - who recently relocated to Italy with her family - is taking a break from the show until 2020.
WATCH: Kate Langbroek Pulls Off EPIC Prank on Co-host Dave Hughes!
"Kate Langbroek will be making regular appearances on the show, but right now she is on her way to Sicily," the 48-year-old revealed.
The host also introduced Kate's replacement, Ed Kavalee, who will cover the spot for the remainder of the year.
"Welcome! You're going to be hanging out with us until the end of the year, buddy," said Dave.
The comedian responded: "Thank you, guys. It's great to be here. I'm very excited."
Last week, Hit Network boss Gemma Fordham told TV Blackbox that Kate will stay on with the program "in less capacity whilst she has a planned sabbatical with family."
"We certainly look forward to welcoming her back full time on her return [in 2020] and in the interim, she is doing segments in the show a few times a week," she added.
Hughesy and Kate have been radio partners since 2001 - when the pair joined Dave O'Neil as hosts of Nova 100's inaugural breakfast show.
The following year, they made the change to KIIS, leaving behind their Nova roots.
Their extensive stint at KIIS lasted until 2017 when they replaced Hamish & Andy as the Hit Network's drive home show.
In January, Kate moved to Bologna, Italy with her husband Peter and their four children - Lewis, Sunday, Artie and Jan - for a year-long "gap year."
Kate continued to host Hughesy & Kate from a home studio until recently.
The radio host's departure comes after Gemma Fordham announced that the Grant, Ed & Ash breakfast show would be ending.
The morning program will be replaced with music, but Grant, Ed and Ash are still expected to remain within the network.
The axing of the Grant, Ed & Ash show is another in a long list of failed attempts by 2Day FM to launch a successful breakfast show following Kyle and Jackie O's move to KIIS in 2014.
