Where is Kate Ritchie’s Home and Away boyfriend now? Star reveals the truth about why he left the soap and his shocking battle with addiction

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Martin Dingle-Wall became well-known in the early 2000s after being nominated for a Logie Award for his role as the charming social worker, Flynn Saunders, on the popular Australian soap opera, Home and Away.

The role, where he played the love interest for Sally Fletcher (Kate Ritchie), launched Martin’s career and earned him many dedicated fans.

However, he surprised audiences in 2002 by quitting the show after just two years. Joel McIlroy then took over the role of Flynn, playing the character from 2003 to 2006.

Twenty-three years after becoming a beloved TV star, Martin has finally explained to the Daily Mail why he decided to leave the show that made him famous.

He explained in a recent interview on Thursday that he wasn’t sure how the story continued after he departed the project.

Honestly, it was all just part of the game. When you sign up for a show like that, you’re tied to a three-year contract, meaning they have the power to let you go, but you don’t have the freedom to quit.

‘I just happened to be one of those actors who wasn’t presented with that because I was teed up opposite Kate Ritchie,’ he added.

Martin explained that the producers of Home and Away didn’t offer him a long-term contract right away, as they wanted to see how viewers would react to his character first.

He explained that whether or not the audience approved of their pairing with Kate would determine if they could stay. If viewers didn’t like them together, they’d be eliminated.

I almost landed a supporting role, and things went well enough that they kept extending my time on the project for several months.

‘All of a sudden, I’d done a couple of years with ongoing six-month contracts.’

Martin’s nomination for a Logie Award – specifically, for Most Popular New Male Talent – unexpectedly thrust him into the spotlight, surrounded by enthusiastic fans.

The producers quickly signed Martin to a three-year contract, hoping to keep him on the show long-term. However, Martin wasn’t comfortable with a longer, five-year deal.

Martin remembered saying, “If I complete one more year, bringing the total to three, then we can discuss things.” He realized it had already been five years overall.

But the creators weren’t having it, telling Martin it was a three-year contract, or nothing.

He chose to move on.

He explained that the disagreement was the main issue. Since they couldn’t resolve it, he simply expressed his gratitude and ended his involvement after two years.

Even though he disagreed with the show’s direction and eventually left, Martin still appreciates Home and Away for the many career opportunities it provided him.

He explained that the TV show *Home and Away* continues to bring him new followers and support for his work.

‘It’s just beyond belief that something that’s 20 years ago could still be giving the way it does.’

Martin’s impressive career is clear from his resume, which includes roles in popular Australian television series like Underbelly, Cops: L.A.C., and Satisfaction, plus work writing screenplays and films.

In 2012, he relocated to Los Angeles to seek out more substantial and diverse acting opportunities, such as appearing in the film *Strangerland* alongside Nicole Kidman, and playing a lead character who spoke Russian in *All That Jam*.

Martin famously starred as Warren Novak in the film *Happy Hunting*, directed and written by Joe Dietsch and Louie Gibson, Mel Gibson’s son.

He recently starred as Will Scott, a top codebreaker for the FBI, in the hit TV show Cypher.

Moving to the US prompted the father to confront his addiction and begin attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

He admitted he wasn’t religious, but described the moment he quit drinking as deeply meaningful, almost spiritual.

It’s hard to describe how much my life improved when I finally confronted the problem I’d been struggling with. Seeing it clearly felt like facing a personal demon, and it was incredibly empowering.

I’m incredibly grateful I made this choice before my son was born. It means he’ll only ever know me as the person I am now, and that’s a huge relief and a wonderful thing.

The actor, originally from Bondi, is raising his 10-year-old son, Lakota, in Australia with his wife, Peta Danvers. The family returned to Australia in 2020.

Martin, who has been sober for over a decade, says he’s completely forgotten what it was like to struggle with alcohol addiction. He no longer fights that battle.

Martin now focuses on creative work, accepting acting and writing opportunities that interest him.

He also owns Alchemy Film Productions, a company known for being the first in Australia to widely use the innovative RED digital cinema camera.

Martin is currently playing Ned Campbell in the period drama *This Bloody Country*. The show follows an Australian man’s life on the American frontier in 1869.

Martin explained that the role was a chance to be part of history, and he was particularly excited by the idea of playing an Australian character navigating life during the early days of American colonization.

I was curious to know if any Australians were living abroad at that time. When I looked into it, I discovered there were actually quite a few, and this is the story of one of them. I found the whole thing really interesting.

He really liked how natural and flexible the script felt, and he admitted he’d always wanted to play a cowboy.

‘It was a perfect storm,’ he said.

Craig Packard’s new film, coming out on October 17th, follows a family as they struggle to build a new church settlement.

I’ve always believed that when people are threatened by truly dangerous criminals and things escalate into violence, they absolutely have the right to protect themselves. It’s a simple matter of self-preservation, and I fully support anyone who stands up for themselves in that situation.

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2025-10-11 12:06