Kate Ritchie holds hands with younger-looking mystery man in Byron Bay

Kate Ritchie holds hands with a younger-looking mystery man in Byron Bay… after splitting from her husband Stuart Webb

She quietly separated from her husband, Stuart Webb, in recent months.

But Kate Ritchie looked anything but heartbroken as she strolled hand in hand with a youthful-looking mystery man as they holidayed in Byron Bay together.

Photos published in Monday’s New Idea show the former Home And Away star, 42, getting cosy with her companion, who is said to be a businessman named John. 

Spotted! Kate Ritchie, 42, (pictured) has been pictured holding hands with a youthful-looking mystery man named John while holidaying in Byron Bay, following her split from husband Stuart Webb 

Kate smiled as she and John made their way to a café to pick up takeaway salads and coffees. 

The Sydney-based radio presenter was dressed for comfort in a loose white T-shirt and denim shorts which showcased her slender pins. 

Kate went makeup free, and shielded her famous face beneath a woven sunhat.

Companion: Photographs published in Monday's New Idea magazine show the Home And Away star joking and chatting with baby-faced John as they made their way to a local cafe

Companion: Photographs published in Monday’s New Idea magazine show the Home And Away star joking and chatting with baby-faced John as they made their way to a local cafe 

Her male friend wore a white T-shirt, printed blue shorts and a black baseball cap.   

John, who is said to be a few years younger than mother-of-one Kate, has several eye-catching tattoos, including the words ‘Italian Pride’ on his forearm. 

Kate and John reportedly stayed at an Airbnb and spent most of their time on holiday relaxing by their private mineral salt pool and visiting Byron Bay’s top restaurants. 

Posh getaway: According to New Idea, Kate and John stayed at a luxury Airbnb, and spent most of their holiday relaxing by their private mineral salt pool pool and visiting Byron Bay's top restaurants

Posh getaway: According to New Idea, Kate and John stayed at a luxury Airbnb, and spent most of their holiday relaxing by their private mineral salt pool pool and visiting Byron Bay’s top restaurants

Other photos published by New Idea show a cheerful-looking Kate carrying a box of wine bottles back to her car after visiting a liquor store.

On this occasion, Kate swathed her petite frame in a bohemian maroon caftan, and completed her look with a brown fedora.

The pair were also pictured sipping drinks by the window of an upmarket restaurant.

Trouble in paradise: The sighting comes after Kate parted ways from her ex-rugby league player husband Stuart (left) after 10 years of marriage. Pictured together in 2014

Trouble in paradise: The sighting comes after Kate parted ways from her ex-rugby league player husband Stuart (left) after 10 years of marriage. Pictured together in 2014

At one stage, Kate was even spotted resting her head on John’s shoulder as they shared an intimate conversation.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Kate’s representatives at Nova FM for comment.   

The sighting comes after Kate parted ways from her husband, retired rugby league player Stuart Webb, after 10 years of marriage.

Incident: Kate moved out of their marital home in Randwick in late 2019 after police took out an interim AVO on her behalf against the retired NRL star, following an incident at the property. Pictured together in 2011

Incident: Kate moved out of their marital home in Randwick in late 2019 after police took out an interim AVO on her behalf against the retired NRL star, following an incident at the property. Pictured together in 2011

While it’s unclear when exactly Kate and Stuart split, she hasn’t worn her wedding ring in a year and moved out of their marital home in Sydney’s Randwick in late 2019.

Kate moved out after police took out an interim AVO on her behalf against the former NRL star following an incident at the property. 

In December 2019, Stuart’s five-time drink driving history was revealed in a police fact sheet as he faced court for blowing 0.083 when he was pulled over by highway patrolmen in the city’s east in March of that year.

The former couple were last spotted together in February 2020, when they celebrated their six-year-old daughter Mae’s first day of school. 

'Stuart has been trying to show Kate that he's a changed man': New Idea magazine alleged in April last year that the couple had been attending 'counselling' to resolve their marital issues

‘Stuart has been trying to show Kate that he’s a changed man’: New Idea magazine alleged in April last year that the couple had been attending ‘counselling’ to resolve their marital issues

Family: Kate and Stuart were last spotted together in February 2020, when they celebrated their six-year-old daughter Mae's first day of school. The family are pictured in 2019

Family: Kate and Stuart were last spotted together in February 2020, when they celebrated their six-year-old daughter Mae’s first day of school. The family are pictured in 2019