Former Home and Away star and current radio host Kate Ritchie has announced she’s taking a break from her Nova breakfast show to focus on her mental health, after footage of her visibly upset in a park was leaked online last week.
The photos and the videos show the actress and media personality appearing to break down in tears while taking a phone call, before getting up and stumbling before she got back to her car. Taking to Instagram, Kate has announced a break from radio, while also calling out the paparazzi that published the footage of her.
Kate candidly shared with fans and followers that she experiences mental health battles and thanked Nova and her close circle for being there for her during this difficult time.
‘Relentless stalking’: Kate Ritchie calls out paparazzi
In a lengthy post, Kate wrote, “I struggle with mental health issues at times, which are deeply personal. This has proven to be a bigger challenge than I imagined,” before adding, “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. My struggle is not helped by the relentless stalking of me by the paparazzi, in fact, they are making it much worse. Due to their constant harassment, they significantly add pressure and make my recovery that much more difficult.”
She also begged for the people who took the footage to “reconsider” and to think of the harm that can be inflicted on those suffering.
“To those profiting from invading my privacy, a simple question – would you treat, say, your sister, mother, or daughter the same if they had similar challenges?”
Kate Ritchie’s friends and fans rally around star
Many of Kate’s fans and famous friends threw their support behind her, wishing her well in the comments and backing up her sentiment about the paparazzi.
“You hold your head high. No one should be invading your privacy ever. You’ve got this. Know that you are loved. Hang in there. One day at a time. Take the time that you need to heal,” singer and actress Natalie Bassingthwaighte commented. “Darling Kate. Sending all the love in the world. Please don’t let them break your spirit. Remember how loved you are. You are a national treasure and there is so much support for you. Go gently sweetheart. Here if you need a hug,” actress Rebecca Gibney said.
“Love you, Kate. Always here,” her radio co-host Ryan ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgerald responded, with presenter and singer David Campbell saying, “Sending much love to you.”
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