Johnny Ruffo’s partner Tahnee Sims shares heartbreaking New Year’s message following the Home and Away star’s death aged 35
Johnny Ruffo's girlfriend Tahnee Sims has opened her heart in an emotional Instagram post.
Sims took to Instagram to share the highs and lows of the past year, as well as the terrifying prospect of facing the new year without her beloved partner.
Ruffo died peacefully with his family and beloved partner Sims by his side in a Sydney hospital after a long battle with brain cancer. He was 35.
Sims wrote: 'Hard to put this year into words… have experienced some incredible highs and been absolutely devastated by the lowest of lows.'
With a mix of concern and hope, Sims expressed her conflicted feelings about entering 2024.
Johnny Ruffo's girlfriend Tahnee Sims has opened her heart in an emotional Instagram post. Both shown
“As I enter a new year, part of me welcomes a new year and the other part can't bear the thought of entering it without J,” she shared.
Her words paint a vivid picture of her struggle to get ahead as she cherishes the memories of the years she spent with Ruffo.
Ruffo died on November 10 surrounded by his family and long-time partner Sims.
Sims took to Instagram to share the highs and lows of the past year, as well as the terrifying prospect of facing the new year without her beloved partner
Sims wrote: 'Hard to put this year into words… have experienced some incredible highs and been absolutely devastated by the lowest of lows'
“It is with heavy hearts that we had to say goodbye to our beloved Johnny today,” read a statement announcing his death.
“Surrounded by Tahnee and family, Johnny passed away peacefully with the support of some incredible nurses and doctors.
His family posted on his personal Instagram a memorial service for the star will be held Perth on November 25.
“Having doubts about entering a new year, part of me welcomes a new year and the other part can't bear the thought of entering it without J,” she shared
“A memorial service to celebrate John's incredible life will be held on November 25 in Perth, WA,” the post read, and “more details” will follow.
'He was a very talented, charming and sometimes cheeky boy. Johnny was very determined and strong-willed. He fought 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. Rest in peace.'
Last month, Ruffo died peacefully with his family and beloved partner Sims by his side in a Sydney hospital after a long battle with brain cancer. He was 35
Johnny was first diagnosed with brain cancer in 2017 after going to hospital with painful migraines.
In August that year, he underwent emergency surgery and had a 7cm brain tumor surgically removed from his frontal lobe before undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Johnny went into remission months after his initial diagnosis in 2017, but revealed in November 2020 that the disease had returned.
In August 2022, he confirmed that his brain cancer diagnosis was terminal and said he feared how his girlfriend Tahnee would cope with him being gone.
Johnny marked another year of undergoing chemotherapy in December 2022 and revealed he was looking forward to taking a break and spending time with family over Christmas.
In March this year, Johnny began another round of chemotherapy and posted a photo of himself undergoing treatment in hospital, with his girlfriend Tahnee by his side.
He spoke in a heartbreaking interview on The Project last year about his concerns about how Tahnee would cope after his death.
“You can only imagine how difficult it has been for her,” he told then-host Carrie Bickmore.
'What goes through my mind a lot is, I hate to say this, how difficult it can be for her if something happens to me.
“So it's something I don't want to think about. It just makes me a little emotional because I know that at some point something will happen, whether it's a month from now, ten years from now, or twenty years from now.”
He also told Bickmore that he had already outlived his life expectancy.
“At some point it will get to me, but I'm still fighting. Still pedaling. Looking at my diagnosis and my tumor, the average life expectancy was three years,” he said.
Born in the Perth suburb of Balcatta, Johnny's showbusiness career began when he successfully auditioned for the third season of The X Factor Australia in 2011.
After being mentored by Guy Sebastian, Ruffo was the last contestant eliminated from the competition, which was ultimately won by Reece Mastin.
A music career followed, with Johnny releasing several hit singles, including On Top and Take It Home.
But he is perhaps best known for his role as fan favorite Chris Harrington on Home and Away between 2013 and 2016.
He also appeared in that show's soap rival Neighbors in 2020.
The actor is best known for playing Chris Harrington in the Seven Soap from 2013 to 2016 (pictured)