Humble local business owner in awe as Kate Ritchie still shops with her mother at the same place she did when she was a child star on Home and Away

A business owner in Campbelltown, Sydney, has shared his surprise after Home And Away star Kate Ritchie and her mother Heather visited his small garden centre last week. 

Tim from Tim’s Garden Centre revealed via Instagram on Thursday that Kate, 44, used to visit his nursery as a child actor, and was thrilled to welcome her back. 

‘Wow, I just got a nice surprise, when I looked up and saw Kate Ritchie. She used to come here often with her mum, when she was on Home and Away,’ he wrote next to a photo of himself posing arm-in-arm with Kate. 

Tim explained that Heather was still a regular shopper, and that he’d recently gifted her a red scarf as part of a charity, along with a second scarf to give to her daughter. 

Proving she really is Australia’s nicest radio star, Kate chose to wear the scarf when she came to visit.

Tim continued: ‘I really started smiling when I looked out from the lunchroom, and there was Kate. I’ve been listening to Kate with Fitzy and Wippa, on Nova’s Breakfast. She always gives very sensible advice to those boys. I’m a bit of a fan.’ 

The business owner also revealed that Kate had just stated following his garden centre’s Facebook page, and had even purchased a rosemary plant. 

‘She might be making Rosemary Lemon Chicken tonight? She did tell me that she’s a good cook. She was so nice to talk too. She did look great in the Tim’s Red Scarf,’ he concluded. 

Tim from Tim’s Garden Centre revealed via Instagram on Thursday that Kate used to visit his nursery as a child actor, and was thrilled to welcome her back 

Kate matched her attention-grabbing scarf with a blue knitted jumper and classic blue jeans.

After Kate posed for a photo with Tim on Instagram, the garden centre’s followers expressed their excitement with the visit. 

‘How good is this!’ one commentator replied, and ‘you’re nearly as red as that scarf, you’re blushing that much mate’ said another.

It comes after radio star Tim Blackwell (left, with Kate and Marty Sheargold) appeared to confirm rumours of a feud between himself and Nova FM co-host Kate

It comes after radio star Tim Blackwell appeared to confirm rumours of a feud between himself and former Nova FM co-host Kate while appearing on the the Shock Jocks podcast.

When asked what prompted Kate’s exit, the 41-year-old responded: ‘That’s a question for her, I know nothing.’

He then added: ‘I think it ran its course and I think she wanted a new opportunity… and [new host] Ricki-Lee Coulter was around as well.’

Kate had quit the show following a long absence and stint at rehab for alcohol dependency. 

When asked what prompted Kate’s exit, the 41-year-old responded: ‘That’s a question for her, I know nothing.’ He then added: ‘I think it ran its course and I think she wanted a new opportunity… and [new host] Ricki-Lee Coulter was around as well’