Johnny Ruffo’s emotional final Instagram post and his days travelling the world with his partner Tahnee Sims before his tragic death aged 35 following battle with brain cancer
Before passing away on Friday morning from a protracted fight with brain cancer, Home and Away star Johnny Ruffo shared a tragic joint video with his partner Tahnee Sims.
With his loved ones and partner Tahnee Simms by his side, the 35-year-old actor and singer passed away in a Sydney hospital.
Prior to a family member sharing the heartbreaking news of his passing on Instagram, he had posted a video of his August cancer struggle.
‘6 years on from diagnosis. What a fighter!’ wrote 29-year-old Tahnee, praising his tenacity.
The moving film opened with pictures of Ruffo flashing off his head stitches following surgery. There were also intimate views into his cancer treatments and adorable love photographs.
At the time, Johnny’s old Home and Away co-stars as well as a number of other celebrities showered his Instagram post with encouraging comments.
I adore you two. Lynne McGranger of Home and Away said, “Always in my prayers,” and Ada Nicodemou said, “Such a fighter.”
Emojis of love hearts were used in comments made by Kylie Gillies, co-host of The Morning Show, and Anna Heinrich, a former Bachelor.
“I’m so proud of my man,” radio personality Michael “Wippa” Wipfli continued.
Back in July, Ruffo discussed the realities of fighting terminal cancer in another Instagram post.
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
He uploaded a picture of himself recovering in a hospital chair while seemingly going through chemotherapy once more.
“Return to reality,” he captioned the photo.
He took Tahnee on a romantic excursion to Queenstown, New Zealand, that same month.
The pair enjoyed the breathtaking views of the resort town while lodging in an opulent hotel.
During the winter vacation, they also took part in an exhilarating helicopter ride—the final one before Ruffo passed suddenly.
Johnny Ruffo dead: How Home and Away and The X Factor star credited partner Tahnee Sims for keeping him alive
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
On his Instagram page on Friday, the devastating news of his passing was shared.
A statement said, “We had to say goodbye to our beloved Johnny today with a heavy heart.”
With the help of some amazing nurses and doctors, Johnny passed away quietly, surrounded by his partner Tahnee and family.
‘Couldn’t be prouder of my man,’ radio host Michael ‘Wippa’ Wipfli added
He was a pleasant, gifted, and occasionally mischievous youngster. Johnny had a strong will and was highly determined. He fought valiantly and determinedly through to the very end. A lovely spirit with so much more to offer.
“Johnny, you have our undying love and we will always be grateful for the joy you brought into our lives.” Feel at ease.
After Ruffo visited the hospital in 2017 due to excruciating migraines, he was initially diagnosed with brain cancer.
In another heartbreaking Instagram post back in July, Ruffo spoke about the reality of battling terminal cancer
He had a 7cm brain tumour surgically removed from his frontal lobe in August of that year after being sent for chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
After receiving his first diagnosis in 2017, Ruffo experienced months of remission before disclosing that the illness had resurfaced in November 2020.
He disclosed in August 2022 that his brain cancer was terminal and expressed concern about Tahnee, his partner, handling his loss.
Tahnee and Ruffo were all smiles as they enjoyed their winter wonderland getaway
In December 2022, Ruffo announced he was looking forward to a holiday and spending Christmas with his family as he commemorated another year of receiving chemotherapy.
The actor sat in a chair and put on a brave face, grinning and gave the thumbs up.
He jokingly posted, “Back in my favourite chair,” along with the hashtags #f**kcancer and #ihatethischair.
Ruffo began a new round of chemotherapy in March of this year. He shared a picture of himself receiving the treatment in a hospital with Tahnee by his side.
The actor battled the illness for several rounds before succumbing to it on Friday.
Ruffo, who was born in the Balcatta area of Perth, got his start in show business in 2011 when he made it through the audition process for the third season of The X Factor Australia.
Ruffo was the final competitor ousted from the tournament, which Reece Mastin ultimately won, having been mentored by Guy Sebastian.
After that, Ruffo pursued a career in music, putting out several successful singles, such as Take It Home and On Top.
However, he is most renowned for playing the beloved Chris Harrington on Home and Away from 2013 to 2016.
In 2020, he also had an appearance on Neighbours, the rival serial opera.
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
But he is perhaps best known for starring as fan favourite Chris Harrington on Home and Away between 2013 and 2016. Pictured here
