Home and Away star Johnny Ruffo has died at the age of 35 after a long battle with brain cancer.
The singer passed away on Friday morning at a Sydney hospital, his spokesperson told Daily Mail .
The actor died peacefully with his family and beloved partner Tahnee Sims by his side.
The heartbreaking news was announced on his Instagram page on Friday.
‘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 with brain cancer. 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
‘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.’
Ruffo was first diagnosed with brain cancer in 2017 after he went to hospital with painful migraines. Pictured with partner Tahnee
The actor is best known for playing Chris Harrington on the Seven Soap from 2013 to 2016 (pictured)
He also appeared on soap rival Neighbours in 2020
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.
Ruffo went into remission months after his initial diagnosis in 2017, but revealed in November 2020 the disease had returned.
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.
Ruffo marked another year of undergoing chemotherapy in December 2022, and revealed he was looking forward to having a break and spending time with family over Christmas.
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 March this year, Ruffo started another round of chemotherapy and posted a photo of himself undergoing the treatment in hospital with his girlfriend Tahnee by his side.
Johnny spoke about his concerns about how Tahnee would cope after his death in a heartbreaking interview on The Project last year.
‘You can only imagine how difficult it’s been for her,’ he told then host Carrie Bickmore.
‘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 also told 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.
Born in the Perth suburb of Balcatta, Ruffo’s showbusiness career began when he successfully auditioned for the third season of The X Factor in 2011.
Earlier this year, Ruffo posted a photo of himself undergoing treatment in hospital with his girlfriend Tahnee by his side
Johnny won fans during his appearance as a finalist on The X-Factor in 2011
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’
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 that show’s soap rival Neighbours in 2020.
Johnny spoke about his concerns about how Tahnee would cope after his death in a heartbreaking interview on The Project last year
‘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 at the time