Much-loved Nova star returns to radio after months off
The former Home & Away actress has become a radio stalwart on the Nova network and was welcomed back with open arms by her Nova colleagues Fitzy & Wippa, Tom Ivey, and Jess Francis on Friday morning.
After being re-introduced in a cheeky rollcall, the 46-year-old appeared refreshed as she coyly shouted 'present!' before addressing listeners.
'It is so good to be back, and I didn't want to really kind of stop down and talk too much about everything,' she began.
'But I just have to say, in all honesty, I have felt such gratitude, I think.'
If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your .
To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide.
Earlier this year, the star announced she'd be taking a break to 'focus on my health', thanking those in her corner for assisting throughout the difficult period.
Her official departure followed several days of absence from the air and mounting speculation that her mental state was suffering.
'I struggle with mental health issues at times, which are deeply personal. This has proven to be a bigger challenge than I imagined,' she told fans in a statement at the time. Kate Ritchie alongside co-hosts Fitzy and Wippa. Credit: Kate Ritchie/IG / IG
In her return, Ritchie reassured listeners that she was in a much better place.
'I'm not going to hit you with a hashtag blessed or anything like that, but I feel so incredibly grateful for the period of time that I have had away from the studio, and not only away from Nova, but away from lots of things,' she added.
But it wasn't just those immediately around the star that had offered words of support, with the host thankful for the kindness and respect she was shown by strangers. Kate Ritchie has returned to Nova radio in Sydney. Credit: Supplied
'The amount of people who have reached out to me over this period of time, and since earlier in the year, has been absolutely mind-blowing,' she said.
'For people to bother to actually say, without being intrusive, 'Hey, it's really nice to see you, hope you're doing well. Can't wait to hear you back on radio'...
'What has been the most important thing and the most different thing for me this time is that despite all of the love that I feel, I didn't do it for anybody else, I did it for me.'
Fans and friends of Ritchie have expressed their support on social media, with former Home & Away co-star Lynne McGranger leading the chorus of well-wishes.
'That is wonderful news!! Welcome back love!! 🩷🩷🩷,' the newest Gold Logie winner said.
Perth's Nathan, Nat & Shaun also sent their love, offering three love heart emojis in wake of the positive news.
WA's Nova breakfast stalwarts have experienced a similar absence from their regular line-up, with long-time host Nathan Morris yet to return on a permanent basis following a similar months-long stint off air.
Ritchie has not gone entirely off-grid, however, returning to her TV roots to promote her parenting docuseries The Role of a Lifetime, starring alongside Amanda Keller, Maggie Dent, and Nazeem Hussain.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
a day ago
- Perth Now
TV star seen crying in car after ‘hard day'
Former Masterchef judge Melissa Leong is typically bubbly and reassured in the kitchen, but fans saw a different side to the TV foodie after she shared a 'raw' moment of vulnerability from her car in a teary social post. The 43-year-old's latest project sees her re-connect with her past, which Leong admitted had triggered a challenging period of introspection. 'Today was a hard day. I started recording the audio version of my memoir, and I knew sharing some of what I wrote might be the most difficult thing I have ever had to say out loud to strangers,' she told fans. Set for release on September 30 this year, Leong's book promises to be a 'memoir of food, failure and taking impossible chances'. While fans might know her as 'Fooderati', the first female Masterchef judge, or a Gold Logie nominee, the stylish star will deliver a candid account of her life's failures, successes, and everything in between. 'It's not yet time to talk about it, but I really need to send love to anyone out there who has been forced through the dark. You are not alone, and I need to know I am not, either,' she added. 'I am not one for posting these kinds of raw moments, but I want to mark today as one where I reclaimed myself and my story once and for all.' Melissa Leong's new memoir Guts is set for September release. Credit: Melissa Leong/IG / IG Featuring some of her favourite recipes, the author's memoir will put all of herself on the plate, and she hopes readers bring their appetites. 'No guts, no glory. Hope you're hungry,' she's told fans in her book's promotion. Following Leong's very public show of emotion, her numerous TV and cooking pals have reached out and empathised with her creative process. 'Sending so much love,' fellow author and presenter Jess Rowe responded. Author Hannah Diviney said, '(Recording) my audiobook was like pressing on every bruise and opening every wound I've ever had but it ended up feeling so freeing and important. You're doing great ❤️'.
Perth Now
a day ago
- Perth Now
Much-loved Nova star returns to radio after months off
Radio star Kate Ritchie has returned to the airwaves following a six-month mental health break, telling fans she's 'incredibly grateful' to be re-taking her breakfast seat despite her sudden departure in February. The former Home & Away actress has become a radio stalwart on the Nova network and was welcomed back with open arms by her Nova colleagues Fitzy & Wippa, Tom Ivey, and Jess Francis on Friday morning. After being re-introduced in a cheeky rollcall, the 46-year-old appeared refreshed as she coyly shouted 'present!' before addressing listeners. 'It is so good to be back, and I didn't want to really kind of stop down and talk too much about everything,' she began. 'But I just have to say, in all honesty, I have felt such gratitude, I think.' If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. Earlier this year, the star announced she'd be taking a break to 'focus on my health', thanking those in her corner for assisting throughout the difficult period. Her official departure followed several days of absence from the air and mounting speculation that her mental state was suffering. 'I struggle with mental health issues at times, which are deeply personal. This has proven to be a bigger challenge than I imagined,' she told fans in a statement at the time. Kate Ritchie alongside co-hosts Fitzy and Wippa. Credit: Kate Ritchie/IG / IG In her return, Ritchie reassured listeners that she was in a much better place. 'I'm not going to hit you with a hashtag blessed or anything like that, but I feel so incredibly grateful for the period of time that I have had away from the studio, and not only away from Nova, but away from lots of things,' she added. But it wasn't just those immediately around the star that had offered words of support, with the host thankful for the kindness and respect she was shown by strangers. Kate Ritchie has returned to Nova radio in Sydney. Credit: Supplied 'The amount of people who have reached out to me over this period of time, and since earlier in the year, has been absolutely mind-blowing,' she said. 'For people to bother to actually say, without being intrusive, 'Hey, it's really nice to see you, hope you're doing well. Can't wait to hear you back on radio'... 'What has been the most important thing and the most different thing for me this time is that despite all of the love that I feel, I didn't do it for anybody else, I did it for me.' Fans and friends of Ritchie have expressed their support on social media, with former Home & Away co-star Lynne McGranger leading the chorus of well-wishes. 'That is wonderful news!! Welcome back love!! 🩷🩷🩷,' the newest Gold Logie winner said. Perth's Nathan, Nat & Shaun also sent their love, offering three love heart emojis in wake of the positive news. WA's Nova breakfast stalwarts have experienced a similar absence from their regular line-up, with long-time host Nathan Morris yet to return on a permanent basis following a similar months-long stint off air. Ritchie has not gone entirely off-grid, however, returning to her TV roots to promote her parenting docuseries The Role of a Lifetime, starring alongside Amanda Keller, Maggie Dent, and Nazeem Hussain.
7NEWS
a day ago
- 7NEWS
Former Home and Away star Kate Ritchie makes emotional return to Nova radio after six-month mental health break
Radio host Kate Ritchie made her much-anticipated return to the airwaves today after a six-month mental health break. The former Home And Away star was visibly emotional as she rejoined her co-hosts Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli and Ryan 'Fitzy' Fitzgerald on their Nova radio show on Friday morning. 'We've missed you, Kate. It's so good to have you back, mate, it really is,' Wipfli said on Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie. 'Sydney has missed you. I've had so many people stop me and say, 'How's Kate? When's she coming back. We miss Kate.'' Ritchie announced in February she was taking a break from the show. At the time, The Daily Mail had published photos of Ritchie on the phone looking distressed. The mum-of-one called out the paparazzi for invading her privacy, bravely revealing the toll it had taken on her health. 'I struggle with mental health issues at times, which are deeply personal,' Ritchie said on Instagram. 'This has proven to be a bigger challenge than I imagined. 'So, I have decided to take a break from the show and the team, who I love, to focus on my health.' Speaking today on-air about her return, Ritchie revealed she was overcome with gratitude by all of the support she has received. 'The amount of people who have reached out to me over this period of time, and since earlier in the year, has been absolutely mind-blowing,' Ritchie said. 'So if you're listening and you were one of those people that reached out, or stopped me in the street. 'Or even just smiled at me over the tomatoes in Harris Farm. 'For people to bother to actually say, without being intrusive, 'Hey, it's really nice to see you, hope you're doing well. I can't wait to hear you back on the radio' ... 'Thank you for bothering, because I read all of those messages and they made all the difference.' Ritchie added kindness is what kept her going during this challenging time. 'Despite all of the support and the love I feel, I didn't do it for anyone else — I did it for me,' Ritchie shared. She paid special thanks to her co-hosts and the wider Nova team, 'I love you guys and I have always loved this job.' In true Fitzy and Wippa style, her co-hosts joked Ritchie had passed her audition and that they would love to have her back on the show. Gold Logie winner and former Home And Away co-star Lynne McGranger commented on Ritchie's return on Instagram. 'So good to see you back Kate. Much love honey,' McGranger said. Ritchie starred on Home And Away as Sally Fletcher for two decades, from 1988 to 2008, and won two Gold Logie awards for her performance. She briefly reprised the role in 2013 for the show's anniversary. Most recently, she starred in The Claremont Murders in 2023 on the Seven Network.
