Dannii Minogue struggles not to break down as she reveals how Olivia Newton-John inspired her

Dannii Minogue struggles not to break down as she reveals how Olivia Newton-John inspired her to start performing at the iconic singer’s memorial in Melbourne.

Dannii Minogue has shared the touching reason why Olivia Newton-John means so much to her.

The Australian pop star and TV presenter spoke to Channel Nine outside Hamer Hall in Melbourne on Sunday, where a memorial for the icon is taking place.

The 51-year-old revealed that she was able to tell Olivia how she felt about her during her lifetime.

‘Olivia is very important to me. She is literally the reason I started acting and I was lucky enough to tell her that when we first met,” she said.

Getting emotional, Dannii admitted that she was shaky and on the verge of tears.

Dannii Minogue (pictured) has shared the touching reason why Olivia Newton-John means so much to her. The Australian pop star struggled not to cry as she spoke to Channel Nine outside Hamer Hall in Melbourne on Sunday, where a memorial for the icon is taking place.

‘Yes, it is still – I think, the thought is settling. My hands are shaking. I’m all over the place,’ she said.

Dannii is one of many stars attending a state memorial service to celebrate the late iconic singer’s life.

The service comes six months after Newton-John died in August at the age of 73, after a courageous, decades-long battle with cancer.

A live broadcast began half an hour earlier with a personal photographic tribute showing his life under the spotlight and away from the cameras with his family and children.

'Olivia is very important to me.  She is literally the reason I started acting and I was lucky enough to tell her that when we first met,” she said.  Olivia is in the photo

‘Olivia is very important to me. She is literally the reason I started acting and I was lucky enough to tell her that when we first met,” she said. Olivia is in the photo

Getting emotional, Dannii admitted that she was shaky and on the verge of tears.

Getting emotional, Dannii admitted that she was shaky and on the verge of tears.

Some 2,300 people were expected to attend the service with Prime Minister Daniel Andrews and showbiz legend Paul Hogan among the guests.

Newton-John was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992 and began raising money for research and promoting cancer awareness.

A treatment and research center in Melbourne, the Olivia Newton-John Wellness and Research Center, opened in 2012 and its services have helped thousands.

In 2019 she was made a Companion of the Order of Australia and also a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

Newton-John’s career spanned more than 60 years, during which he made 28 studio albums and six live.

She is survived by her husband John Easterling and her only daughter Chloe Lattanzi.

The service comes six months after Newton-John died in August at the age of 73, after a courageous, decades-long battle with cancer.

The service comes six months after Newton-John died in August at the age of 73, after a courageous, decades-long battle with cancer.