'I have missed you very much': Kate Ritchie returns to radio after six-month break

After a six-month break, Kate Ritchie has officially returned to radio!

The official Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie Instagram account shared a post the morning of Friday August 8 announcing that "KATE IS BACK!!"

"I have missed you very much," Ritchie told her co-hosts in the clip.

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Six months ago, the former Home and Away star announced she would be stepping back from the show amid her mental health battle.

In a post shared to Instagram, she announced that she had been struggling with some "deeply personal" issues.

"This has proven to be a bigger challenge than I imagined. So, I have decided to take a break from the show and the team who I love, to focus on my health."

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Ritchie said her struggle had been compounded by "relentless stalking" and "constant harassment" from paparazzi, which has made her recovery "that much more difficult".

"I want to thank all of those who are helping me through this very difficult time," she wrote.

"I love you. Thank you Nova for being there when I need you."

At the time, Ritchie did not share how long she intended to be away, explaining that mental health is "a problem many others are struggling with".

"They know what it's like," she added.

Following Ritchie's announcement her co-hosts released a statement in support of her hiatus.

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Michael "Wippa" Wipfli praised Ritchie for speaking up, calling her "so brave" and saying he is a "proud" friend.

''Yesterday [she] found the strength and the energy to release a statement about her position and battle with mental health," he said.

"That's why we celebrate Kate for putting her hand up and being so brave. I'm so proud of my friend."

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