Katherine Leigh Ritchie (born 14 August 1978) is an Australian actress, radio presenter, and children's author. She is best known for her long-running role as original character Sally Fletcher on the television soap opera Home and Away, for which she won two Gold Logie awards. She played the character for 20 years, appearing from the pilot episode in 1988 until 2008. She currently co-hosts Nova 96.9's breakfast show Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie alongside Ryan Fitzgerald and Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli. Ritchie was part of Nova FM's national drive show, Kate, Tim & Joel with Tim Blackwell and Joel Creasey from 2014 until 2023.
Prior to her retirement from Home and Away, she shared with fellow original cast members Ray Meagher and Norman Coburn the record (recognised by Guinness World Records) for the longest continuous role in an Australian drama series. After a five-year absence, Ritchie returned to Home and Away in 2013 for a short reprise of her role as Sally Fletcher to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the series. In addition to 20 years on Home and Away, Ritchie has also hosted various television events and appeared in commercials, a mini-series and an Australian film. She has also been involved with the Campbelltown Musical Society.
In 2022, Ritchie appeared as a judge on the tenth season of Australia's Got Talent alongside Shane Jacobson, David Walliams and Alesha Dixon. In 2023, she starred as Carol Spiers in 7 Network's two part documentary series The Claremont Murders. She appeared opposite Erik Thomson, who played her on-screen husband Don Spiers.
2023
as Carol Spiers
2016
as Host
2013
as Zara
2013
as Celeste Doyle
2010
as Samantha Cooper
2008
as Judy Kane
2007
as Self - Judge
2006
as Nicole
2006
2005
1988
as Sally Fletcher
1988
as Sally Fletcher
1986
as Mollie