Kate Ritchie (born August 14, 1978 in Goulburn, New South Wales ) is a Gold Logie Award winning Australian actress who is best known for her portrayal of Sally Fletcher on the television soap opera Home and Away. She has played the character since the series began in 1988 and, along with fellow original cast member Ray Meagher, holds the Guinness Record for the longest continuous role in an Australian drama series.
In addition to 20 years on Home and Away, Ritchie has appeared in commercials, a mini-series and an Australian film. In 1986 she was cast as Molly, the child lead in the Nine Network-PBL mini-series, Cyclone Tracy, starring Chris Haywood and Tracy Mann. In 2006 Ritchie played Nicole in the ABC film Stepfather of the Bride. She has also been involved with the Campbelltown Musical Society.
In 2000, an explicit sex tape widely reported as featuring Ritchie and an ex-boyfriend was leaked onto the internet. Ritchie has never publicly discussed the matter.
In 2006, Ritchie was also a contestant on the celebrity singing competition It Takes Two, partnered with Troy Cassar-Daley.
In 2007, Ritchie joined Nova radio to co-host the drive show with comedian Akmal Saleh, replacing Matthew Newton. She was replaced in May by New Zealand comedian Cal Wilson.
Ritchie was a co-host, with Grant Denyer, on the second series of It Takes Two. blank">"It takes two and Kate's happy", The Daily Telegraph, April 25, 2007
Ritchie is currently dating pro-skateboarder Corbin Harris, who is 4 years her junior. The couple met in February at fellow castmate, _Ada Nicodemou's wedding to Chrys Xipolitas. She previously was involved in a long-term relationship with rugby league footballer Chris Walker.
In September 2007, Ritchie announced that she would be leaving Home and Away in mid-December, when she is scheduled to film her final scene. She will last appear on Australian screens as Sally Fletcher on April 3 2008. Ritchie filmed her final scenes on Friday 14th December 2007, and her final episode screens in April 2008.
On January 14 2008, Ritchie commenced on the Nova 96.9 breakfast show Merrick and Rosso.
Kate lives in Campbelltown a south western suburb of Sydney.
She joins veteran actor Ray Meagher in the Guinness Book of Records for being the longest serving actor on an Australian drama series.
She has two younger sisters and a younger brother.
Attended Hurlstone Agricultural High School, same as 'Dan OConnor (III).
