Former Home and Away star and popular radio presenter Kate Ritchie has been soaking up the last of the summer sunshine before a return to her broadcasting duties. The 47-year-old shared a relaxed selfie from a boat over the weekend, signalling the end of her seasonal break.
Sun-Drenched Selfie Signals Summer's End
Ritchie posted a sultry image to her Instagram followers, where she was seen reclining on a boat in animal print swimwear, her face shaded by a grey cap. The actress and host captioned the photo, "Okay, okay. It's goodbye to a beautiful break. No more of this," indicating her holidays were over. She is now back at work on Nova's Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie breakfast show, a role she resumed last year after a lengthy hiatus focused on her health.
Definitive Decision on Summer Bay Return
This leisurely moment follows a significant revelation from the actress about her future with the soap that made her famous. Kate Ritchie has firmly stated she has no plans to return to Summer Bay, effectively closing the door on reprising her role as Sally Fletcher.
Ritchie, who was just eight years old when she joined the cast in 1988, played Sally for two decades before leaving in 2008. Despite persistent rumours and numerous invitations from producers over the last 17 years, she made her position clear during her Nova radio show.
"The show is doing so well, it doesn't need Sally anymore," she told listeners. She added that her character has a "nice life somewhere" and, while she still loves the programme, it has "moved on" without her. After a brief tease about returning "if asked," she reversed herself, stating, "That's a chapter of my life that's done."
Life After the Bay: Radio and Reflection
Ritchie also humorously admitted she rarely watches the series now, joking that she found it difficult seeing "other people living in my house and sitting on my couch" during a viewing about five years ago. Her comments last October hinted at a possible return, but she has now settled the matter.
The star has long spoken about the challenge of forging her own identity outside of the beloved character she portrayed for 20 years. Her focus remains on her successful radio career and personal life, marking a definitive new chapter away from the sands of Summer Bay.
