Johnny Ruffo, who became a star after appearing on Australia’s The The X factor before taking on a role in a daytime soap opera Home and awayhe died at the age of 35.
The singer and actor was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer last year, and on Friday the news of his death was announced in a post on his Instagram account.
“It is with heavy hearts that we had to say goodbye to our beloved Johnny today,” the statement began.
“Surrounded by his partner Tahnee and family, Johnny passed peacefully with the support of some amazing nurses and doctors,” the message read, noting that Ruffo was “a very talented, charming and sometimes cheeky boy.”
The statement continued: “Johnny was very determined and strong willed. He fought to the end and fought as hard as he could. Such a beautiful soul who has so much more to give.”
Johnny Ruffo performs before the ANZ Championship Grand Final match between Melbourne Vixens and Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic at Hisense Arena on July 22, 2012 in Melbourne, Australia.
Scott Barbour/Getty
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The post concluded with a heartfelt message of remembrance for the late star: “We all love you, Johnny, and we will remember you for all the joy you brought into our lives. Rest ❤️”
A few former umpires from the Australian version The The X factor they shared their condolences in the post, with Spice Girl Mel B writing: “My heart just broke.”
Danii Minogue remembered Ruff as “the cheekiest guy”, writing that “many will miss his voice, smile and dancing feet”. Thinking of my family at this heartbreaking time.”
Ruff was first diagnosed with brain cancer in 2017 and underwent treatment for two years, according to Guard. He went into remission towards the end, before announcing in 2020 that his cancer had returned.
“After an unexpected week of seizures and excruciating headaches, it is with a heavy heart that I have to tell you that I now have another huge battle ahead of me as my brain cancer is back, although I will dig deep and beat this w… – illness again,” Ruffo captioned the post on Instagram from November 24, 2020.
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Johnny Ruffo performs live on stage supporting One Direction during a matinee at Hordern Pavilion on April 13, 2012 in Sydney, Australia.
Ryan Pierse/Getty
In August 2022, he discovered that his cancer was terminal. “Looking at my diagnosis and my tumor and … the average life expectancy was three years. It’s been five years now for me, so I’m already winning,” he told Australia’s Channel 10 last year, according to the BBC.
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“At some point it’s going to get to me…” Ruffo also said in the interview. “My goal now is to try to help as many people as possible.”
Ruffo, who was born in Perth, Western Australia, worked as a concrete mason and performed locally in an electro-pop band before bursting into the limelight in 2011 when he auditioned for The X factor, according to a report by 7 News in Australia. Channel 7 aired the music reality competition for most of the eight seasons that ran between 2006 and 2016.
Ruffo eventually placed third in the third season of the singing competition, but began his music career with Sony Music Australia.
He released several singles and even a duet with himself The X factor mentor, singer Guy Sebastian, and even won the Australian one Dancing with the stars in 2012, trans 7 News. In the same year, he supported One Direction, New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys, according to the paper.
In 2013, Ruffo turned to acting, taking on the role of Chris Harrington in the popular Australian soap opera Home and away. The role earned him a nomination for Most Popular New Talent at the 2014 TV Week Logie Awards — the country’s premier television awards show.
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Johnny Ruffo arrives at the Australian Premiere of “Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Shaw” on July 31, 2019 in Sydney, Australia.
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Ruffo released a new song titled “Broken Glass” in 2019 after going into remission, according to 7 news, and before revealing his terminal diagnosis, he wrote a memoir titled There is no goalwhich was released in August 2022. Although he has not returned to acting, Ruffo has regularly shared details of his treatment and life with partner Tahnee Sims on his social media.
So proud to see this come to life 📚😃 ‘No Finish Line’, my first book will be in stores on August 30th and available for pre-order now in all good bookstores! I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it 💜,” he wrote on Instagram in July 2022.
Ruffo spent his last few months, according to photos he posted on his Instagram, traveling to places like Queenstown, New Zealand, and spending time with friends and family.
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Source: HIS Education