Johnny Ruffo’s Home and Away co-stars pay an emotional tribute to ‘brave’ actor after his death aged 35 following long battle with brain cancer: ‘So much strength until the end’

Johnny Ruffo’s Home and Away colleagues have paid an emotional tribute to the actor after he died on Friday morning aged 35 following a long battle with brain cancer.

Ruffo died in a Sydney hospital with his family and partner Tahnee Simms by his side.

Stars of the long-running soap and several other Australian celebrities honored the “incredibly kind and courageous” actor in heartfelt statements alongside an Instagram post announcing his death.

Harley Bonner, who played Logan Bennet on the show in 2021 and 2022, wrote, “Love you and your loved ones, buddy.”

David Jones-Roberts, who starred alongside Ruffo in the soap as Xavier Austin, added: “RIP brother. Lots of love.’

Lisa Gormley, also a longtime co-star, said Ruffo brought joy to the show’s set.

‘Heartbreaking. I love you, Johnny. Thank you for your joy,” she wrote.

Sarah Roberts, who starred in Home and Away after Johnny left the drama, wrote: “So terribly sad. My heart is absolutely broken. Life just isn’t fair. Johnny, you continue to be an inspiration to us all. Sending all my love to Johnny’s family, dear friends and beautiful Tahnee.”

Singing sensation and former Home and Away legend Natalie Bassingthwaighte added: “Oh my. What an incredible person. Sending so much love.”

Soap actor Holly Brisley said: ‘I’m very sorry to read this. My deepest condolences. He was a good one! Definitely gone too soon.’

Meanwhile, former bachelor Georgia Love sent her love to his partner Taheee and his family.

‘I’m so very sad to hear this. Huge love to Tahnee and Johnny’s family,” she wrote.

Kylie Gillies, co-host of The Morning Show, added: “Oh sweet boy. Sending love to everyone who knew and loved you. And there are so many.’

Gogglebox star Angie Kent said: ‘Oh this is such heartbreaking news to hear. What a beautiful soul who showed so much strength until the end. So much love for his family, partner and friends. Rest now, dear man.’

The Bachelor star Alex Nation said: “Absolutely heartbreaking. I’m so sorry. Condolences to Johnny’s loved ones.”

Meanwhile, PR queen Roxy Jacenko noted Ruffo’s long and hard battle with the disease.

‘Heartbreaking. Sending love and thoughts. You fought so hard, honey,” she said.

Footy star Luke Burgess said: ‘This is incredibly sad. What an incredible person. Sending all my love to Tahnee and Johnny’s family. My heart is with you.’

Luke’s brother George also left a tribute, writing: ‘Rest in peace. Always positive during his illness and an inspiration to others who are suffering. Such a terrible loss, thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”

Real Housewives of Sydney star Sally Obermeder said: “My heart is broken. We loved you so much. I’m thinking of your family and everyone who loved you.”

Elsewhere, entertainer Rhonda Burchmore wrote: “This breaks my heart,” while singer Ricki-Lee Coulter echoed the sentiment with a series of broken heart emojis.

Nova FM star Ryan ‘Fitzy’ Fitzgerald said he was ‘shattered’ by the loss of Johnny, who was ‘an absolute beacon of positivity’.

Comedian Dave Hughes added: ‘A star has moved on to the next world. Good luck Johnny.”

Meanwhile, AFL star Abbey Holmes wrote: ‘Oh Johnny. Our hearts break. Sending so much love to friends and family. You certainly put up a great fight! Rest in peace.’

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, Johnny 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 soap rival Neighbors in 2020.

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.

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.

Johnny went into remission months after his initial diagnosis in 2017, but revealed in November 2021 that the disease had returned.