Johnny Ruffo’s emotional final Instagram post and his days travelling the world with his partner Tahnee Sims before his tragic death aged 35 following battle with brain cancer

Home and away player Johnny Ruffo fought hard to the end before dying on Friday at the age of 35 after a long battle with brain cancer.

The singer lost his battle in a Sydney hospital with his family and partner Tahnee Simms by his side.

Before a family member updated his Instagram account with news of his death, his last Instagram post was a heartbreaking joint video with partner Tahnee Sims, posted in early August.

Tahnee, 29, praised his resilience, writing “6 years after diagnosis. What a fighter!’

The moving video started with photos of Ruffo getting stitches on his head, followed by glimpses of his cancer treatments, interspersed with adorable snaps of the couple together.

At the time, Johnny’s Instagram tribute received an outpouring of supportive comments from his former Home and Away co-stars, as well as other celebrities.

‘I love you both. Always in my prayers,” Home and Away’s Lynne McGranger noted, while Ada Nicodemou commented, “What a fighter.”

Former Bachelor star Anna Heinrich responded with love heart emojis, as did The Morning Show co-host Kylie Gillies. “I couldn’t be prouder of my husband,” added radio host Wippa.

In a heartbreaking Instagram post in July, Ruffo spoke about the reality of battling terminal cancer.

He posted a photo of himself lying in a hospital chair undergoing chemotherapy.

“Back to reality,” he wrote in the caption.

That same month, he and Tahnee enjoyed a romantic trip to Queenstown, New Zealand.

The couple stayed in luxury accommodation and took in the breathtaking sights and enjoyed a thrilling helicopter flight during the winter holidays, which would be their last before Ruffo’s tragic passing.

The heartbreaking news of Ruffo’s death was announced on his Instagram page on Friday.

“It is with heavy hearts that we had to say goodbye to our beloved Johnny today,” the statement said.

“Surrounded by his partner Tahnee and family, Johnny passed away 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 strong-willed. He fought to the end and 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.’

Ruffo 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.

The former X Factor star then praised his partner Tahnee, calling her his ‘guardian angel’ and saying he doesn’t know what he would do without her.

Ruffo 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.

Ruffo 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.

The actor put on a brave face, smiled and gave a thumbs up while sitting in a chair.

“Back in my favorite chair,” he wrote sarcastically alongside the hashtags #ihatethischair and #f**kcancer.

In March this year, Ruffo began another round of chemotherapy and posted a photo of himself undergoing the treatment in hospital, with his girlfriend Tahnee by his side.

Born in the Perth suburb of Balcatta, Ruffo’s show business 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 Ruffo 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.