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Home And Away star Kate Ritchie’s public apology after being charged with drink driving

Radio host and soap star Kate Ritchie has publicly apologised after being banned from driving and fined for failing a road side breath test.

Kate Ritchie has been charged over alleged drink driving.
Kate Ritchie has been charged over alleged drink driving.

Former Home And Away star Kate Ritchie has said she is “truly sorry” for her actions after being caught drink driving on Monday.

The 44-year-old actress and radio host was fined $600 and hit with a three-month driving ban after being pulled over in Sydney’s east and returned a positive reading

Police said Ritchie is alleged to have blown 0.06 on Monday afternoon at Pagewood. She was stopped in her blue Subaru station wagon on Heffron Rd by police conducting random breath testing.

She underwent a secondary test at Maroubra police station.

A police spokesman said Ritchie was issued with an infringement notice for drive with low range prescribed concentration of alcohol and issued a licence suspension notice.

Kate Ritchie has been banned from driving for three months after allegedly blowing over the limit. Picture: Supplied
Kate Ritchie has been banned from driving for three months after allegedly blowing over the limit. Picture: Supplied

Ritchie took to Instagram on Sunday to address the incident.

“Recently I undertook a random breath test. Although it was low level, the test came back positive,” she wrote on her official page.

“I made a poor decision and there is no doubt I understand the seriousness of my actions.”

“I am truly sorry.”

Ritchie and Home And Away star Ray Meagher at Catalinas. Picture: Instagram.
Ritchie and Home And Away star Ray Meagher at Catalinas. Picture: Instagram.
Ritchie won’t be able to get back behind the wheel until October.
Ritchie won’t be able to get back behind the wheel until October.

The radio host been sporadically absent from her regular hosting duties on her afternoon drive show Kate, Tim and Joel on Nova FM in recent weeks.

Despite claims Ritchie was facing the axe, a spokesperson for the network told news.com.au she would be returning to the show in weeks.

“Whilst we don’t usually comment on this type of unfounded speculation, or confirm our presenter line up for 2023, we have no plans for any changes to the Kate, Tim & Joel drive show or Kate’s role within the show.”

“Kate is currently on planned leave and has been for the past few weeks. She will return to the Kate, Tim & Joel show after survey break. Kate is a talented broadcaster and a respected member of the Kate, Tim & Joel and Nova Network team.”

Ritche also recently split from her partner, 25-year-old security consultant John Bell, 25.

Prior to her whirlwind lockdown romance her marriage to retired rugby player Stuart Webb ended in 2019.

Known for her career defining role as Sally on Home And Away, the actress is set to appear as a judge on Australia’s Got Talent.

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-nsw/home-and-away-star-kate-ritchie-charged-with-drink-driving/news-story/348e26044b3158c46bccc447ea58ba5f