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

Home and Away star Johnny Ruffo has died aged 35 after a long battle with brain cancer.

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

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

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

“It is with heavy hearts that we had to say goodbye to our beloved Johnny today,” reads the statement.

“Surrounded by his partner Tahnee and family, Johnny passed away peacefully with the support of some incredible nurses and doctors.

“He was a very talented, charming and sometimes cheeky boy.” Johnny was very determined and strong. He fought to the end and as hard as he could. Such a beautiful soul who still has so much to give.

“We all love you, Johnny, and will remember you for bringing so much joy to our lives. Rest in peace.’

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

Johnny was first diagnosed with brain cancer in 2017 after being hospitalized with painful migraines. Pictured with partner Tahnee

Johnny was first diagnosed with brain cancer in 2017 after being hospitalized with painful migraines.

In August that year he underwent emergency surgery and a 7cm brain tumor was surgically removed from his frontal lobe before undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

The former X Factor star then praised his partner Tahnee, calling her his “guardian angel” and saying he doesn’t know what he would do without her.

Johnny went into remission months after his initial diagnosis in 2017, but announced in November 2021 that the disease had returned.

The actor is best known for his role as Chris Harrington on the Seven soap opera from 2013 to 2016 (pictured).

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

Johnny began more chemotherapy in March and posted a photo of himself undergoing treatment in hospital with his girlfriend Tahnee by his side.

The actor put on a brave face, smiled and gave a thumbs up while sitting on a chair.

“Back in my favorite chair,” he wrote sarcastically alongside the hashtags #ihatethischair and #f**kcancer.

In December 2022, Johnny endured another year of chemotherapy and revealed that he was looking forward to taking time off over Christmas to spend time with family.

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

In March, the actor put on a brave face while undergoing chemotherapy, smiling and giving a thumbs up while sitting in a chair.

“Another year of chemotherapy is behind me. It wasn’t easy, but I survived,” he wrote at the time.

“I can’t wait to take a few weeks off over Christmas and spend some well-deserved time with my family.” #f**kcancer.”

In August 2022, he confirmed that his brain cancer diagnosis was terminal and said he was afraid of how his girlfriend Tahnee would deal with his death.

“You can only imagine how difficult it was for them,” he said on The Project.

“What goes through my mind a lot is, I hate to say it, how hard it could be for them if something happened to me.”

“So it’s something I don’t want to think about. It just makes me a little emotional because I know something is going to happen at some point, whether it’s a month from now, ten years from now or twenty years from now.”

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

“It’s going to affect me at some point, but I’m still fighting. I’m still pedaling. Given my diagnosis and my tumor, the average life expectancy was three years,” he said.

THERE IS MORE TO COME

Johnny confirmed in August 2022 that his brain cancer diagnosis was terminal and said he was afraid of how his girlfriend Tahnee would deal with his death.