Kate Ritchie makes surprise return to airwaves after taking time off to focus on her mental health following public meltdown
The Nova 96.9 Sydney breakfast radio host, 46, had been absent from the show since January after she was spotted visiting a bottle shop and breaking down in tears in a park.
Joining her co-hosts Ryan 'Fitzy' Fitzgerald and Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli in the studio on Friday, Kate gushed: 'It was very exciting to be back this morning.'
She went on to joke: 'It was really awkward, and it felt like small talk. I noticed there's a glass door where there wasn't one before, and we have new carpet.'
'Can you believe it? I was going to come back this week, and then I got a snotty nose… but I have to say, I think everything happens as it's meant to happen.
'I love that I'm back here this morning and I've missed you.'
Fitzy and Wippa lavished Kate with praise, telling her how much they and the listeners had missed her over the past six months.
Kate also joked that she'd forgotten how to do her job after so long away from the studio.
'We just had a quick word during the song, and he was just running through a few of the rules that perhaps I may have forgotten while I was away,' the mother-of-one mused.
Fans were delighted to hear Kate's voice again, with one commenting on the radio show's Instagram page: 'So glad you're back Kate, I've missed you!'
'I couldn't believe my ears when I turned on the radio this morning!!! I've been waiting for this day! Welcome back Kate so great to hear your laughter back with us!' another exclaimed.
Someone else noted it was 'noble' of Nova to 'hold down Kate's spot' on the show 'despite everything going on'.
Fans had grown worried that Kate would never return to the airwaves following her public meltdown in January.
Kate has been receiving ongoing support at a rehabilitation facility since her public meltdown, which saw her photographed in tears and appearing visibly distressed shortly after picking up daughter Mae from school.
Kate had released a statement to Instagram in February addressing the concerning photos and explaining why she was taking a break from her radio show.
'I struggle with mental health issues at times, which are deeply personal. This has proven to be a bigger challenge than I imagined,' she began.
'So I have decided to take a break from the show and the team who I love to focus on my health. I want to thank all of those who are helping me through this very difficult time. I love you. Thank you Nova for being there when I need you.'
Kate went on to address the images taken on January 29.
'This is also a problem many others are struggling with. They know what it's like. The images of me taken last week show that I wasn't okay on that day,' she continued.
She went on to thank her friends and fans for their support over the past week.
'Thank you to my wonderful family, all the Nova listeners, and many others who are sending their love and support. I appreciate it more than you can imagine,' she wrote.
At the time of Kate's departure, Nova's co-hosts had promised their audience the absent Kate would return after one day off, but that timeline was soon dropped.
Nova had remained tight-lipped on any potential comeback date and did not respond to questions about whether the embattled star had continued to receive pay during her absence.
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