With Sally Fletcher back in Summer Bay with her young daughter, Pippa, we caught up with original Home and Away star Kate Ritchie to discuss the popular character's return and the 25th anniversary of the Australian drama...
What's it been like playing Sally again after a five-year break?
"Sally is a bit like that best friend we all have who, regardless of how long it’s been since we’ve spoken or caught up, you can just pick up where you left off. So stepping back into her shoes has come naturally. I have actually missed playing her very much and so it has felt great to revisit that for a while."
What has Sally been doing since we last saw her?
"When Sally first left Summer Bay she was off on a holiday to Thailand and that is where she has stayed. Sally then went onto doing what she does best, teaching and working with children."
Did you intend to get involved with the show's 25th anniversary? Or did the producers approach you first?
"The producers approached my agent with the offer to return to the show. One of the main reasons I accepted the invitation is working on Home and Away is one of the best jobs in the world and it is a job that I enjoyed very much. Home and Away’s achievement of 25 successful years deserves to be celebrated and I wish the show many, many more."
Can you still remember your first day on set as Sally 25 years ago?
"Considering the amount of time that has passed it is amazing how much I remember about those very early days. I even remember the audition for goodness sake. Maybe because it was all so very new and exciting and the cast and crew were such a team."
Do you mind having grown-up on screen? Or do you cringe when you see some of those early clips?!
"At times it has felt as though my life is one big embarrassing photo album, but the growing up on television part is what has made this experience so wonderful. I don’t know any different so there is nothing I can compare it with, but I know that I wouldn’t change a single thing. I am thankful for the years I spent on Home and Away. Despite the pics that will haunt me for ever, but at least I never had an 80s perm!"
What were some of your favourite storylines from your 20-year run on Home and Away?
"One story that holds a special place in my heart was the arc when Sally lost her husband, Flynn, to cancer. I thought it was handled so beautifully and to this day, is one of the storylines that people continue to talk to me about."
Tell us about some of the stuff you worked on after you left Home and Away. Was there a project that you enjoyed doing the most, because it was very different?
"Going straight into breakfast radio in Sydney was the best thing that could have happened. The timing was perfect. It was not a job I could possibly try to compare with Home and Away. It taught me so many new skills, put the shoe on the other foot in many ways and helped me find my voice. I had to learn to be me, Kate and not the character I had played for such a long time. Since then I have worked on many different projects, as an actress, host and ambassador. I also had some much overdue down time, planned a wedding, got married and spent some time in the UK! So, to say the five years post Home and Away was full and busy, is an understatement! Most recently, I have been working with the ADCNSW, filling in the breakfast slot at Nova over Summer with Sam Mac and filming a guest role on a new ABC drama comedy, It’s A Date, which will be shown in Australia later in the year."
What's next for you? Are you happy to leave the door to Summer Bay House open…maybe for the 30th anniversary?!
"Well, if you had asked me if I would be back to celebrate the 25 year anniversary I would have thought no. So although I only returned for a short while who knows what the future holds!"
