Kate Ritchie has a doppelgänger.
Lisa Hayson-Phillips bears a striking resemblance to the former Home and Away star and says she often gets mistaken for the actress and Nova radio host.
In a video posted on her TikTok page, she said a stranger yelled out to her last week and sent her ‘well wishes’ after Kate revealed she was suffering from ‘mental health issues’ and would be taking a break from her radio show.
Kate, 46, made the decision to take a step back from work after images emerged of the media star acting erratically while picking up her daughter from school last fortnight.
‘I just had a lady call out to me in the car park, “I hope you’re feeling better Kate!”‘ Lisa said in her video posted to TikTok.
‘I’m not Kate, but I know who she’s talking about.’
Kate Ritchie, right, has a doppelgänger. Lisa Hayson-Phillips, left, bears a striking resemblance to the former Home and Away star and says she often gets mistaken for the actress and Nova radio host
Lisa said she was walking to her parked car when the stranger called out to her.
‘She’s talking about Kate Ritchie, and I just thought, “What a lovely thing to say.” Not to THE Kate unfortunately.’
‘Kate is going through a really tough time at the moment and a complete stranger – who thought I was Kate Ritchie – called out something really nice,’ Lisa said.
‘I think that’s lovely.’
Lisa then revealed she and ‘the real Kate Ritchie’ were actually colleagues for more than a decade.
‘I actually do know Kate,’ she continued in the video.
‘I worked with her for about 11 years on Home and Away. I’ve been mistaken for her a lot over the years.’
Lisa appeared on Australia’s longest-running soap opera in 63 episodes, filmed between 2002 and 2012.
She starred as nurse Julie Cooper, who worked at the Northern Districts Hospital, and was once accused of murder.
‘You do look like Kate Ritchie though, I did a double take,’ one viewer commented under Lisa’s video.
‘You even sound like Kate,’ wrote another.
‘I hope “the Kate” sees your video,’ penned a third. ‘I hope she knows how much love she has across Australia.’
Last week, Kate broke her silence after images emerged of the star acting erratically while picking up her daughter last month.
‘I struggle with mental health issues at times, which are deeply personal,’ Kate said in a message posted to her Instagram last week.
‘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. I want to thank all of those who are helping me through this very difficult time. I love you. Thank you Nova for being there when I need you.’
Kate went on to thank her friends and fans for their support over the past week.
Lisa Hayson-Phillips appeared on Home and Away in 63 episodes filmed between 2002 and 2012 as Nurse Julie
In a video posted on her TikTok page, Lisa said a stranger yelled out to her last week and sent her ‘well wishes’ after Kate revealed she was suffering from ‘mental health issues’ and would be taking a break from her radio show
Lisa (left) pictured on Home and Away said she often got mistaken for her famous colleague
‘Thank you to my wonderful family, all the Nova Listeners, and many others who are sending their love and support. I appreciate it more than you can imagine,’ she wrote.
The radio star has been shuttered away in her ritzy Randwick home in Sydney’s eastern suburbs as she contends with the fallout from the alarming incident.
Video and images showed Kate driving a red Hyundai i30 shortly after 3pm before picking up her daughter Mae from school and heading to a nearby park.
The video obtained by Daily Mail Australia then showed the former actress crying while on the phone, wiping tears from her eyes and burying her head in her hands.
A witness, who saw Kate get out of the car at the park, said the star ‘looked really distressed’.
‘She walked around a bit in the park while talking and then suddenly she sat down and started rocking her whole body back and forth and crying,’ they said.
‘It was really confronting – she looked so upset. When she turned around her eyes were all red and puffy and she looked absolutely devastated.’
Kate’s daughter stayed in the car as she sat in the park, leaving the vehicle idle but the engine running.
Kate, 46, made the decision to take a step back from work after images emerged of the media star acting erratically while picking up her daughter from school last fortnight
In a statement shared to Instagram, Kate said she is struggling with ‘deeply personal’ mental health issues and will be taking a break from radio
The actress, who is set to front in the ABC’s upcoming parenting special The Role of a Lifetime, was then seen struggling to get up from the grass.
‘After the call ended, she tried to stand up but lost her balance and sort of fell over again,’ the bystander added.
‘When she finally managed to get to her feet, she started making another phone call… she looked much happier during that call.’
Handing her daughter her phone through the rear passenger window, Kate then walked around to the back of the vehicle – holding an arm out on the car as she got into the driver’s seat and drove home.
If you or anyone you know needs immediate support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via lifeline.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
