Johnny Ruffo’s final heartbreaking holiday amid gruelling cancer treatment

The late actor managed to find time between treatments to enjoy one last romantic getaway with his girlfriend.

Johnny Ruffo got to enjoy one last getaway with his girlfriend shortly before his death.

The former Home and Away star had suffered a long battle with brain cancer. His heartbroken family announced the tragic news on Friday.

Ruffo had remained positive throughout his battle, and didn’t let his illness stop him from embracing every aspect of life to its fullest.

Johnny Ruffo, with his partner Tahnee Sims, went on a trip to New Zealand back in July. Picture from Instagram.

Back in July, in the middle of more gruelling treatment in a bid to extend his life, Ruffo embarked on his final romantic getaway with his girlfriend.

Ruffo and his partner, Tahnee Sims, enjoyed a stunning trip to Queenstown in New Zealand where they spent a few nights at luxury lodge.

The couple kept fans updated during their stay, and went on a wild helicopter ride to explore the breathtaking scenery.

In one snap, which Ruffo captioned: “Freezing cold but worth it for these views!” the star posed for a picture on the shore while flashing a big smile at the camera.

News of Ruffo’s tragic passing first emerged on Friday morning when his family released a statement on his official Instagram account.

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

“Surrounded by his partner Tahnee and family, Johnny went peacefully with the support of some incredible Nurses & Doctors.

“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.”

Meanwhile, the heartbreaking last post on his official Instagram account came on August 7 and was uploaded by the Home and Away star’s long-term girlfriend, Tahnee, who had compiled a video montage of her partner amid his lengthy battle with the disease.

Tahnee stuck by Ruffo’s side throughout his illness. Picture from Instagram.

“6 years on from diagnosis. what a fighter!!” she captioned the video, which appeared on both their Instagram accounts.

In the clip, Ruffo could be seen going in and out of hospital as he underwent chemotherapy, radiation treatments and brain surgery. Despite the uphill battle he faced, he remained in good spirits, sharing many smiles and thumbs-ups for the camera.

Tahnee and Ruffo were two years into their relationship when he was began experiencing painful migraines that sometimes left him hospitalised.

“Without her I may not be here,” he previously told Now To Love. “She was the one who made me get in the car [to go to hospital] when it [the headaches] first happened.”

Doctors soon discovered Ruffo had a seven-centimetre tumour in his brain and required emergency surgery.

After the eight-hour operation, Ruffo shared a confronting image of his head stitched up along with 27 staples on social media. While doctors removed 95 per cent of the tumour, they were forced to leave behind 5 per cent as it was close to nerve endings, he said at the time.

In 2019, after a series of chemotherapy and radiation treatments, he was given the all-clear. But just one year later, the cancer had returned.

Ruffo fought on bravely for another four years.