Home and Away star Johnny Ruffo fought right until the end before losing his long battle with brain cancer on Friday morning.
The actor and singer died aged 35 at a Sydney hospital with his family and partner Tahnee Simms by his side.
Before a family member updated his Instagram account with the tragic news of his death, his last post was a heartbreaking joint video with Tahnee, which was posted at the start of August.
Tahnee, 29, commended his resilience, writing ‘6 years on from diagnosis. What a fighter!’
The poignant video began with photos of Ruffo showing off the stitches on his head after surgery, followed glimpses into his cancer treatments, interspersed with sweet snapshots of the couple together.
Before a family member updated his Instagram account with news of his death, Johnny Ruffo’s last post was a heartbreaking joint video with partner Tahnee Sims
At the time, Johnny’s Instagram post received an outpouring of supportive comments from his former co-stars on Home and Away and several other celebrities.
‘Love you both. Always in my prayers,’ Home and Away’s Lynne McGranger commented, while Ada Nicodemou remarked ‘Such a fighter.’
Former Bachelor star Anna Heinrich commented with love heart emojis as did co-host of The Morning Show, Kylie Gillies.
‘Couldn’t be prouder of my man,’ radio host Michael ‘Wippa’ Wipfli added.
In another Instagram post back in July, Ruffo spoke about the reality of battling terminal cancer.
The poignant video began with photos of Ruffo showing off the stitches on his head after surgery, followed glimpses into his cancer treatments, interspersed with adorable snapshots of the couple together
Tahnee, 29, commended his resilience, writing ‘6 years on from diagnosis. What a fighter!’
He posted a photo of himself reclining in a hospital chair undergoing what appeared to be another round of chemotherapy.
‘Back to reality,’ he wrote in the caption.
That same month, he and Tahnee enjoyed a romantic trip to Queenstown in New Zealand.
The couple stayed at a luxury lodging and took in the stunning sights of the resort town.
They also enjoyed a thrilling helicopter ride during the winter getaway, which would be the last before Ruffo’s death.
At the time, Johnny’s Instagram post received an outpouring of supportive comments from his former co-stars on Home and Away, as well as other celebrities
The heartbreaking news of his passing 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.
‘Surrounded by his partner Tahnee and family, Johnny went peacefully with the support of some incredible Nurses & Doctors.
Former Bachelor star Anna Heinrich commented with love heart emojis as did co-host of The Morning Show, Kylie Gillies. ‘Couldn’t be prouder of my man,’ radio host Wippa added
In a heartbreaking Instagram post back in July, Ruffo spoke about the reality of battling terminal cancer
‘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.
In another heartbreaking Instagram post back in July, Ruffo spoke about the reality of battling terminal cancer
In that same month, Johnny and Tahnee enjoyed a romantic trip to Queenstown in New Zealand
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.
The couple stayed at a luxury lodging and took in the stunning sights of the resort town
Tahnee and Johnny were all smiles as they enjoyed their winter wonderland getaway
They also enjoyed a thrilling helicopter ride during the getaway, which would be the last before Ruffo’s tragic passing
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 Tahnee by his side.
The actor went through several rounds of treatment before losing his battle with the disease on Friday.
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.
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.
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
But he is perhaps best known for starring as fan favourite Chris Harrington on Home and Away between 2013 and 2016. Pictured here