Home and Away star Johnny Ruffo dead at 35

Home and Away star and pop singer Johnny Ruffo, 35, has lost his battle with brain cancer. His family have remembered him as a “beautiful soul”, as media and acting personalities pay tribute to his inspiring spirit.

Former Home and Away and X Factor star Johnny Ruffo has died at 35.

A statement on the actor’s Instagram page confirmed he passed away peacefully six years after his brain cancer diagnosis.

“It is with a heavy heart that today we had to farewell our beloved Johnny,” the statement said.

“Surrounded by his partner Tahnee and family, Johnny went 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 had a strong will.

Johnny Ruffo has passed away at 35.

“He battled all the way to the end and fought as hard as he could.”

The statement paid tribute to Johnny’s “beautiful soul” and lamented he “had so much more to give”.

Ruffo and Sims on the red carpet at the Thor, Ragnarok premier in Sydney. Picture: Toby Zerna

Ruffo announced on Instagram that his brain cancer had returned.

“We all love you Johnny and will remember you for all the joy you brought to our lives.”

Ruffo burst onto the national showbiz scene in 2011 when he finished third on X Factor Australia as a fan favourite.

He was known by many soap fans for his three years on Home and Away and for a stint on Dancing With the Stars.

Scores of his peers in the entertainment industry have shared their heartbreak at the news.

Channel 7 personality Kylie Gillies paid tribute to the “darling boy”.

Johnny Ruffo after brain surgery. Picture: Instagram

“Sending love to all who knew and loved you. And there are so many,” she said.

Home and Away co-star Sarah Roberts said: “So devastatingly sad. My heart is absolutely broken. Life just isn’t fair. Johnny Ruffo you will continue to be an inspiration to all of us.”

Radio star Ryan “Fitzy” Fitzgerald said Johnny was “A beacon of positivity”.

“Johnny walked into any room and put a smile on everybody’s face. Gonna miss you brother,” he said.

Ruffo with is girlfriend Tahnee Sims. Picture: Instagram

Spice Girl Mel B said her heart was broken and television personality Angie Kent remembered Ruffo as “a beautiful soul”.

While he was known most for his television work, Ruffo was an accomplished vocalist and achieved success with his debut single ‘On Top’, which peaked at number 14 on the ARIA charts in 2012.

In 2017 he underwent surgery to remove a brain tumour discovered after he experienced migraines.

After a tough battle Ruffo was seemingly out of the woods in 2019 when he publicly announced he was in remission.

However in late 2020 the worst news came — the cancer had returned and later documented his brave cancer journey in his memoir No Finish Line.

He leaves behind dedicated partner Tahnee Sims.