Kate Ritchie got involved with an epic Home and Away reunion on Thursday night as she joined her former co-stars at Ray Meagher’s 80th birthday celebrations.
The actress, 45, took to her Instagram Stories to give an insight into the fun-filled celebrations, which came two weeks ahead of Ray’s big birthday on July 4.
Kate, who played Sally Fletcher on the soap opera, was all smiles as she posed for a selfie with her former co-star Emily Symons at the party. Ada Nicodemou also put rumours of a ‘rift’ between her and her castmates to bed amid her new romance with James Stewart as she joined her co-stars at the bash.
In one snap, originally shared to Emily’s Instagram, Kate cut a stylish figure in a white T-shirt and blazer as she grinned alongside her friend Emily, 54.
Kate Ritchie got involved with a Home and Away reunion on Thursday night as she joined her former co-stars including Emily Symons (pictured) at Ray Meagher’s 80th birthday party
Emily, who starred as Marilyn Chambers-Fisher in the 90s, looked equally chic in a black high-neck jumper, while she opted for a high-glamour make-up palette.
The friends appeared on Home and Away at the same time with Kate’s stint on the show running from 1988 until 2008, before a brief guest appearance in 2013.
Emily first joined the cast just one year after Kate and stayed on until 1992, before reprising her role in 1995 until 1999 and again in 2010 as she remains on the show.
Ada Nicodemou was also believed to have been among the Home and Away stars who attended the fun-filled 80th birthday party in honour of Ray.
Though she didn’t share snaps from the event to Instagram, Daily Mail Australia understands that Ada, who portrays Leah Patterson on the show, attended the party.
Ada Nicodemou also put rumours of a ‘rift’ between her and her castmates to bed amid her new romance with James Stewart as she joined her co-stars at the jovial celebrations
She put rumours of a ‘rift’ between her and her co-stars to bed with her appearance at the bash as they ‘all had a great time’ together on the ‘lovely’ night.
Ada has started dating her co-star James Stewart, who plays her love interest Justin Morgan, but it was claimed they failed to get the tick of approval from their co-stars.
Last month, a source close to the actress allegedly told Woman’s Day that stars including Ray, Lynne McGranger and Emily Symone are all ‘keeping an eye’ on Ada.
‘Most people are just worried about Ada. Ray and Lynne aren’t the kind of people to get involved in someone else’s business and will be keeping their heads down, but they will have raised their concerns with her,’ the insider said.
Despite the rumours, Ada and James have gone from strength-to-strength since their romance emerged and are believed to be considering moving in together.
Source close to the couple told New Idea that ‘they’ve been talking about moving in with one another, and it’s clear they are very serious about this relationship’.
They added that the pair are also planning their much-anticipated relationship ‘hard launch’ at the upcoming Logie Awards, set to take place in Sydney on August 18.
Their blossoming romance has been in the spotlight since they were first seen sharing a lingering kiss on Anzac Day.
Ada split from her ex-partner Adam Rigby just before Christmas last year, while James finalised his divorce from Sarah Roberts in March.
It is not known if James was also in attendance at Ray’s 80th birthday party with his new girlfriend Ada and their co-stars.
Also among the guest list at the celebrations was Laura Vasquez, who played Sarah Thompson on the soap opera from 1993 to 1995, before briefly returning in 2005.
Taking to her Instagram Stories, Laura shared a snap of herself cuddled up to Kate at the bash as they enjoyed a catch-up over 30 years on from their soap opera days.
Alongside the picture, Laura wrote: ‘Catching up with this gem of a human tonight. So much love for you.’
She also shared a picture of herself posing alongside a cardboard cutout of Home and Away legend Ray in a photo-booth style picture.
The sign read: ‘Ray Meagher’s Birthday,’ while Laura added in a caption: ‘Celebrating this wonderful man tonight, Ray.’
Fan favourite Ray has starred as Alf Stewart on Home and Away since the show’s very episode back in 1988.
He is the sole remaining original cast member on Summer Bay and the longest continuing performer in any Australian TV role.
Last year, Ray confirmed he had signed another five year contract with Home and Away, solidifying his position on the show at least until 2028.
He told The Sun at the time: ‘I didn’t ever really have a target of years or anything like that. People often say, “why would you stay that long?”
‘I think the basic answer is the people. We’ve got a wonderful crew and some of them have nearly been there as long as me.’
He is the sole remaining original cast member on Summer Bay and the longest continuing performer in any Australian TV role
‘We have some wonderful actors who are now in the 10, 15 and 20 year bracket, and by and large I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time on the show,’ he added.
However, earlier this year, Ray slammed Home and Away for becoming less wholesome and straying away from his roots.
He suggested the crime-based storylines that have dominated the story action in Summer Bay for more than a decade have caused the show to stray too far from its 80s roots.
‘There is still a penchant for a River Boy,’ Ray said of the show’s recent cast of ‘bad boys’ in a chat with industry blog TV Tonight.
‘I mean, that was just a great period. But was it Summer Bay? Hmmm…. in my humble opinion, not to that extent.’
Last year, Ray confirmed he had signed another five year contract with Home and Away, solidifying his position on the show at least until 2028
Ray’s comment referred to the popular ‘River Boys’ storyline which was launched in 2011.
It featured a trio of tough male characters, played by Lincoln Younes, Steve Peacocke and Dan Ewing, who brought trouble to Summer Bay.
He praised the talent behind the ‘River Boys’ storylines but said he believed it moved away from the show’s original premise, which centered on a family bringing foster kids to a little coastal village.
Ray said there was ‘nothing wrong’ with the ‘sex, drugs and rock and roll’ storyline of The River Boys but he adds: ‘Except it came in too big a dose.’