Home and Away star Johnny Ruffo dies aged 35 after long battle with brain cancer: ‘Such a beautiful soul with so much more to give’

• READ MORE: Johnny Ruffo shares heartbreaking post during terminal brain cancer battle

Home and Away star Johnny Ruffo has died at the age of 35 after a long battle with brain cancer. 

The singer died on Friday morning at a Sydney hospital, his spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia. 

The heartbreaking news was announced on his Instagram page on Friday. 

The actor passed away peacefully with his family and beloved partner Tahnee Sims by his side. 

‘It is with a heavy heart that today we had to farewell our beloved Johnny,’ a statement read. 

Home and Away star Johnny Ruffo has died at the age of 35 after a long battle brain cancer. The heartbreaking news was announced on his Instagram page on Friday

‘Surrounded by his partner Tahnee and family, Johnny went peacefully with the support of some incredible Nurses & Doctors.

‘He was a very talented, charming and sometimes cheeky boy. Johnny was very determined and had a strong will. He battled all the way to the end and fought as hard as he could. Such a beautiful soul with so much more to give. 

‘We all love you Johnny and will remember you for all the joy you brought to our lives. Rest easy.’

Born in the Perth suburb of Balcatta, Ruffo’s showbusiness career began when he successfully auditioned for the third season of The X Factor Australia in 2011.

The actor passed away peacefully with his family and beloved wife Tahnee Sims by his side

Ruffo was first diagnosed with brain cancer in 2017 after he went to hospital with painful migraines. Pictured with partner Tahnee

After being mentored by Guy Sebastian, Ruffo was the last contestant eliminated in the competition, which was ultimately won by Reece Mastin.

A music career followed, with Ruffo releasing several hit singles including On Top and Take It Home.

But he is perhaps best known for starring as fan favourite Chris Harrington on Home and Away between 2013 and 2016.

He also appeared on soap rival Neighbours in 2020.

The actor is best known for playing Chris Harrington on the Seven Soap from 2013 to 2016 (pictured)

Johnny won fans during his appearance as a finalist on The X-Factor Australia in 2011

Ruffo was first diagnosed with brain cancer in 2017 after he went to hospital with painful migraines.

In August that year, he was rushed to surgery and had a 7cm brain tumour surgically removed from his frontal lobe, before undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy. 

The former X Factor star went on to praise his partner Tahnee and referred to her as his ‘guardian angel’ and said he doesn’t know what he would do without her.

Ruffo went into remission months after his initial diagnosis in 2017, but revealed in November 2020 the disease had returned.

Earlier this year, Ruffo posted a photo of himself undergoing the treatment in hospital with his girlfriend Tahnee by his side

In March, Ruffo started another round of chemotherapy and posted a photo of himself undergoing the treatment in hospital with his girlfriend Tahnee by his side.

The actor put on a brave face, smiling and giving the thumbs up while he sat in a chair.

‘Back in my favourite chair,’ he wrote sarcastically alongside the hashtags #ihatethischair and #f**kcancer.

In December 2022, Ruffo marked another year of undergoing chemotherapy and revealed he was looking forward to having a break and spending time with family over Christmas.

READ MORE: Johnny Ruffo recalls the day he was first told he had brain cancer and says he was angry about the diagnosis: ‘I was p**sed off’

In March, the actor put on a brave face during a round of chemo, smiling and giving the thumbs up while he sat in a chair

‘Another year of chemotherapy done, It wasn’t easy but I made it through,’ he wrote at the time.

‘Can’t wait to have a few weeks break over Christmas & spend some well earned time with my family. #f**kcancer.’

In August 2022, he confirmed his brain cancer diagnosis was terminal and said he feared how his girlfriend Tahnee would cope once he is gone.

In August 2022, he confirmed his brain cancer diagnosis was terminal and said he feared how his girlfriend Tahnee would cope once he is gone

‘You can only imagine how difficult it’s been for her,’ he said on The Project.

‘What plays in my head a lot is, I hate to say this, how hard it may be for her if something does happen to me.

‘So, it’s something that I don’t want to think about. It just gets me a little bit emotional about it because I know at some point something will happen, whether it’s, you know, a month from now or 10 years from now or 20 years.’

Ruffo told then-host Carrie Bickmore he had already outlived his life expectancy.

‘At some point it will get me but I’m still fighting. Still kicking on. Looking up my diagnosis and my tumour, the average life expectancy was three years,’ he said.

‘What plays in my head a lot is, I hate to say this, how hard it may be for her if something does happen to me,’ he said

Source: Read Full Article