A SOAP legend has confirmed she is stepping down from her radio hosting role amid her ongoing mental health battle.
Kate Ritchie, famed for her role as Sally Fletcher in Home and Away, sparked concern last week after being photographed heading to an off-license before picking her daughter up from school.
Concerning images saw the star, 46, appearing to cry down the phone as she sat alone in a public park close by to the shop in Sydney.
Now the actress has confirmed she will be taking a break from her current role as a host on the Nova FM Breakfast Show in Australia as she focuses on her own health.
Kate took to Instagram to share a statement in which she addressed her struggles as well as to thank employer Nova for standing by her.
The star penned: “I struggle with mental health issues at times, which are deeply personal.
“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.
“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 continued on: “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.”
Kate went on to clarify her “appreciation” for those sticking by her as she took time out to focus on herself.
Her Nova FM co-hosts shared their support for the star publicly as they commented underneath her Instagram post.
Ryan Fitsgerald, known as Fitzy, wrote: “Love you Kate. Always here.”
Whilst fellow morning show host Michael Wipfli, known as Wippa, added: “We are so proud of you. We love you, we need you and can’t wait to have you back on the show.
“You are brave and courageous and sometimes, only sometimes as funny as Fitzy and I.”
Last week, the Daily Mail reported that the star had been locked in crisis talks with her management team after the release of the images.
Her managers were snapped arriving at her home on Friday to speak with the star.
Concern first arose after the star was spotted sobbing in a park after picking her child up from school.
An onlooker who witnessed Kate’s behaviour told the Mail: “She walked around a bit in the park while talking and then suddenly she sat down and started rocking her whole body back and forth and crying.
“It was really confronting – she looked so upset.
“When she turned around her eyes were all red and puffy and she looked absolutely devastated.”
Kate rose to fame as Sally in the popular soap in 1988 where she remained until 2008 before making a cameo in 2013.
She has since established herself as a popular radio star and appeared as a judge on Australia’s Got Talent in 2022 alongside UK stars David Walliams and Alesha Dixon.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support.
The following are free to contact and confidential:
Mind, www.mind.org, provide information about types of mental health problems and where to get help for them. Email info@mind.org.uk or call the infoline on 0300 123 3393 (UK landline calls are charged at local rates, and charges from mobile phones will vary).
YoungMinds run a free, confidential parents helpline on 0808 802 5544 for parents or carers worried about how a child or young person is feeling or behaving. The website has a chat option too.
Rethink Mental Illness, www.rethink.org, gives advice and information service offers practical advice on a wide range of topics such as The Mental Health Act, social care, welfare benefits, and carers rights. Use its website or call 0300 5000 927 (calls are charged at your local rate).
Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk, is the a mental health initiative spearheaded by The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales.
PREMIER LEAGUE DARTS returns to action in 2025, as tickets are now available for all 17 nights.
Luke Littler, Luke Humphries and Co descend on the competition every Thursday from Thursday, February 6 until the final on Thursday, May 29.
Punters have been waiting for tickets for months as they pile in to watch the best players around battle for huge prize money.
But can you still buy darts tickets? We have all the information below.
The short answer is yes – but you’re likely to pay a pretty penny and it will come with some risk.
Premier League Darts tickets went on sale back in October 2024, and some venues have sold out, with those that haven’t on their last remaining tickets.
Night 1 – The SSE Arena, Belfast – Thursday February 6
Night 2 – OVO Hydro, Glasgow – Thursday February 13
Night 3 – 3Arena, Dublin – Thursday February 20
Night 4 – Westpoint Exeter – Thursday February 27
Night 5 – The Brighton Centre – Thursday March 6
Night 6 – Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham – Thursday March 13
Night 7 – Utilita Arena, Cardiff – Thursday March 20
Night 8 – Utilita Arena, Newcastle – Thursday March 27
Night 9 – Uber Arena, Berlin – Thursday April 3
Night 10 – AO Arena, Manchester – Thursday April 10
Night 11 – Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam – Thursday April 17
Night 12 – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool – Thursday April 24
Night 13 – Utilita Arena, Birmingham, Thursday May 1
Night 14 – First Direct Arena, Leeds – Thursday May 8
Night 15 – P&J Live, Aberdeen – Thursday May 15
Night 16 – Utilita Arena, Sheffield – Thursday May 22
Play-Offs – The O2, London – Thursday May 29
The PDC website has links to every individual date, but there is limited or low availability on Ticketmaster.
Here is a full list of all the ticket availability, as of Monday, February 3:
Tickets are still listed on multiple resale sites – although the PDC have stated they will cancel any tickets purchased through this method, so it will come at the individual’s risk.
The PDC website states: “We strongly advise fans against purchasing tickets on third-party ticket resale websites, including Viagogo and StubHub.
“We actively monitor all third-party websites and cancel any tickets sold via this method.”
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It’s not clear how or if this will be enforced or if the PDC will make tickets available elsewhere.
Tickets on secondary market sites will also not come cheap, as well as having an added element of risk.
Final tickets are currently going for around £100 – but will likely increase in price the closer we get to that date.
Those looking to purchase tickets do so at their own risk.