KATE RITCHIE'S WEEK OF SHAME

FRIENDS RALLY AROUND THE SINGLE MUM IN HER HOUR OF NEED

It's been an incredibly tough week for Kate Ritchie after she was charged with drink driving when police stopped her on Heffron Road in Pagewood, near her Sydney home, last week.

The "mortified" 44-year-old actress and radio host, who is more known for being Australia's sweetheart, rather then any wild antics, was quick to issue a sincere apology.

"Recently I undertook a random breath test," she confirmed on Instagram after allegedly returning a positive reading of 0.06, which is just over the legal limit of 0.05, at Maroubra Police Station last Monday.

"Although it was low level, the test came back positive. I made a poor decision and there is no doubt that I understood the seriousness of my actions. I am truly sorry."

The shock drink-driving incident came just weeks after Kate celebrated her birthday in what was supposed to be a dream year for her, on the eve of her TV comeback with a new $1 million Nova drivetime contract in the pipeline.

Her brush with the law was particularly galling given how hard Kate has worked to recover from her traumatic divorce from Stuart Webb four years ago.