Johnny Ruffo’s emotional final Instagram post before death

Actor Johnny Ruffo appeared in a heartbreaking final video shared on Instagram by his girlfriend before his death.

Actor Johnny Ruffo has always been open about his battle with brain cancer, but in the months before the news of his death today aged 35, the beloved star went quiet on social media

The 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 Sims, who had compiled a video montage of her partner amid his lengthy battle with the disease.

“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 and radiation treatments. Despite the uphill battle he faced, he remained in good spirits, sharing many smiles and thumbs-ups for the camera.

Johnny Ruffo’s girlfriend Tahnee Sims shared the video montage back in August.

The clip would be the last post on Ruffo’s Instagram before his death on November 10.

Equally remaining positive in the footage was Sims, 29, who never left his side following his brain cancer diagnosis in 2017. The couple met at a dance studio in 2015 and had been inseparable ever since.

In an interview with local Perth radio station Youth Jam on August 7 – the same day Sims posted the heartbreaking video – Ruffo praised her for her unwavering support.

“At the moment (treatment is) every two weeks, which is pretty gruelling,” he said on air. “And it makes you feel like death, like it’s horrid, it’s really horrible.”

But Ruffo said having Sims by his side had made the days bearable.

“She’s remarkable. I can’t give her enough kudos for how amazing she’s been and how much I’ve been able to lean on her for support,” he added.

“I honestly do not know how she’s done it. Sometimes I feel like she’s gone through a harder time than me because she’s had to go through everything with me — minus the actual chemo — but she’s also had to deal with me, my ups and downs and being a d***head.”

The actor appeared in good spirits in the footage.

All smiles despite being in and out of hospital.

“She’s had to put up with all that on top of having to go through it with me. She’s been so strong, stronger than I have through all of this. She’s helped me pick myself up when I’m done and I can’t thank her enough.“ I’m sorry, I’m at a loss for words over how incredible she has been. To me and for me.”

The couple 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.

Sims stood by Ruffo’s side in good times and in bad.

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.

Today is was publicly announced that Ruffo had sadly lost his fight with the disease.

“It is with a heavy heart that today we had to farewell our beloved Johnny,” read a statement posted to his official Instagram account.

“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.”

Originally published as Johnny Ruffo’s emotional final Instagram post before death