Where Is Kate Ritchie’s Home and Away Boyfriend Now? Martin Dingle-Wall Reveals the Truth Behind His Exit
The Heartthrob Who Stole Summer Bay’s Heart
Back in the early 2000s, Martin Dingle-Wall became a household name when he joined Home and Away as the charming social worker Flynn Saunders — the on-screen love interest of beloved character Sally Fletcher, played by Kate Ritchie. His kind, compassionate presence and undeniable chemistry with Ritchie quickly made him a fan favourite, earning him a Logie Award nomination for Most Popular New Male Talent.
But just two years later, Martin shocked fans by abruptly leaving the show, paving the way for Joel McIlroy to take over the role. Now, more than 20 years later, the actor has finally opened up about the real reason he walked away from the soap that made him famous.
“It Was Just Politics” — Why He Really Left
Speaking in a candid interview with Daily Mail Australia, Martin revealed that his decision to leave Home and Away wasn’t about storylines or creative differences — it was about contract disputes and industry politics.
“When you join a show like that, they lock you into a three-year contract — they can get rid of you, but you can’t leave,” he explained. “I was one of the few who didn’t get locked in straight away because they wanted to see how the audience responded to me and Kate together.”
Producers extended his six-month contracts while gauging fan reaction. When the viewers embraced the pairing, Martin was offered a longer commitment — but it came with strings attached.
“I’d done a couple of years, and then they suddenly wanted to lock me into another three-year deal,” he recalled. “I said, ‘Let’s just do one more year and see.’ They said it was three years or nothing. So I thanked them and walked away.”
Moving On from Summer Bay
Despite the abrupt exit, Martin holds no resentment toward Home and Away. In fact, he credits the show for launching his career and keeping his name alive decades later.
“Due to the good graces of Home and Away, people still follow my work,” he said. “It’s beyond belief that something from 20 years ago still gives the way it does.”
After leaving the soap, Martin went on to build a diverse acting portfolio, starring in Australian series like Underbelly, Satisfaction, and Cops: L.A.C. In 2012, he made the bold move to Los Angeles, where he landed roles in international productions including Strangerland (alongside Nicole Kidman) and the cult thriller Happy Hunting.
He also took the lead in the crime drama Cypher, playing an FBI crypto-analyst, and continues to explore acting and filmmaking through his own production company, Alchemy Film Productions.
Sobriety, Family, and a New Perspective
Behind the scenes, Martin’s journey hasn’t been without struggle. After years in Hollywood, he found himself confronting alcohol addiction — a battle he says changed his life completely.
“I’m not a religious man, but it was nothing short of a religious moment,” he said of the day he decided to get sober. “When I stared my devil in the eye, I realised I had this issue. Fortunately, I made the decision before becoming a father, so my son will only ever know this version of me.”
Now sober for over 10 years, Martin lives in Australia with his wife Peta Danvers and their ten-year-old son, Lakota, having returned home in 2020 after nearly a decade in the U.S.
His Latest Chapter
Today, Martin continues to balance acting, writing, and producing. His latest project, This Bloody Country, sees him take on the role of Ned Campbell, an Australian man navigating life on the American frontier in 1869.
“It just sends you into history,” he said. “I was fascinated by the idea of an Aussie out there in that time period. And honestly, I’ve always wanted to play a cowboy — it was the perfect storm.”
Set for release on October 17, the period drama tells the story of a pioneering family forced to fight for survival after a violent encounter with outlaws.
A Legacy That Lasts
More than two decades after he left Home and Away, Martin Dingle-Wall remains grateful for the show that started it all. From soap star to international actor, from addiction to recovery, his story is one of resilience and reinvention.
“Home and Away gave me my start,” he reflected. “It opened doors I never imagined — and for that, I’ll always be thankful.”