Kate Ritchie returns to Nova after six-month break
Kate Ritchie has reportedly returned to work at Nova 96.9, after taking a break from her on-air breakfast role in early February to deal with “mental health issues”.
The Australian reported over the weekend that Ritchie, who has been off-air since the start of the year, was “seen back at work and sitting in on production meetings at the radio station’s Sydney studios for the first time again last week.”
Ritchie is one-third of Nova’s popular Sydney breakfast show Fitzy and Wippa with Kate Ritchie, with Ryan ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgerald and Michael ‘Wippa’ Wipfli.
She was unexpectedly absent during the show’s return to air in the first week of February, and was photographed by a Daily Mail Australia cameraman crying in a Sydney park that same week. After the publication printed the image, Ritchie announced she was taking a break from the show.
Fitzy, Kate, and Wippa
“I struggle with mental health issues at times, which are deeply personal,” she announced 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. 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.”
Ritchie also hit out at “the relentless stalking of the paparazzi” and those “profiting from invading my privacy”, who she claimed were making her mental health “much worse”.
She added: “Due to their constant harassment, they significantly add pressure and make my recovery that much more difficult.”
Nova declined to comment on Ritchie’s return to work, or confirm when she will be back on air.
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Nathan Jolly is the Features Editor at Mumbrella. He joined the team in July, 2023.
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