‘Please stay positive for me'
Friends and family rally around theh desperately sick actor as he begins therapy for brain cancer
With his cheeky smile and headturning good looks, it’s almost impossible to believe that Johnny Ruffo is battling life-threatening brain cancer. But three weeks ago, the former Home And Away star’s life changed dramatically. After heading to hospital with a migraine, Johnny was rushed into emergency surgery to remove a tumour. Post-operation, the 29-year-old took to Instagram to share a picture of his serious scar as he awaited results. Six days later, he updated his fans and loved ones with the devastating news that he had been diagnosed with brain cancer. “It was a bit of a shock and I’ve got an interesting journey ahead and a bit of a battle,” he wrote. “I’m starting aggressive treatment for the next
few months to fightfifight the diagnosis of brain cancer. Please stay positive for me and I’ll try to update you guys on my progress xx” xx.”
It’s understood Johnny has a type of brain cancer known as oligodendroglioma, which is particularly difficult to fight. As it grows like a web through the brain, it is almost impossible to remove by surgery alone and is often treated through neurosurgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
STATE OF SHOCK
The former X Factor star’s immediate family have now joined him in Sydney, where, alongside his girlfriend of two-and-a-half years Tahnee Sims, they are showering him with love and support to keep his spirits up as he fights for his life.
Mum Jill, dad Pascoe and older brother Michael flew out of Perth as soon as they heard the news, but now that the prognosis is worse than hoped for, it’s believed Jill has no plans of returning to her Bunbury base.
The mum-of-two was devastated when she found out how bad the cancer really is.
“After Johnny’s surgery they were all really hopeful that would be the end of it,” says a family friend.
“Then when the test results came back, everyone went into a state of shock.
“They’re a very tight family – despite the fact that Jill and Pascoe separated 27 years ago – with solid working-class values, and this has hit them for six.”
BIG BREAK
Growing up in state housing taught a young Johnny he was going to have to work hard to break out of his humble Balcatta, WA digs.
He wrote songs from a youngy age and taught himself how to dancedan and play the guitar and piano, before gettingge his big break on Seven’s The X Factor in 2011.
With Jill and Pascoe sitting in the final audience, wearing “Johnny Ruffo” T-shirts, the fan favourite and one-time concreter sang and danced his way to third place, behind eventual winner Reece Mastin and Andrew Wishart.
Performance mentor Guy Sebastian later claimed, “You are the best listener and best learner I have ever worked with.”
A contract with Sony Music followed, then a stint on Dancing With The Stars, which he won in 2012, before taking up acting. The talented reality star played larrikin Chris Harrington in Home And Away for three years before leaving to pursue his first love, music.
“I’ve been working in the studio lately on a heap of new tracks,” he announced to his 236,000 Instagram fans before adding in April that he was “off to rehearsals” for a few gigs coming up and that he was “looking forward to getting back on stage”.
A LONG, HARD BATTLE
Johnny’s priority at the moment is his health and treatment. “Before this, Jill, Johnny and his girlfriend Tahnee were all quite active on social media,” says the family friend. “But everyone’s put a wall up around Johnny now and no one’s posting.”
This hasn’t stopped fans and famous friends from flooding his social media with messages of love and prayers. Home And Away’s Lynne Mcgranger wrote, “Dear friend. No words just love and prayers. See you very soon for a laugh and a feed. God bless you.” Castmate Ada Nicodemou added, “Sending u all my love and prayers Johnny.”
And from actress Georgie Parker: “We know you have enormous strength and courage. Wishing you nothing but love in the next challenging chapter.”
Adds the family friend, “We’re all hopeful he’ll be fine. But we know it’s going to be a long, hard battle for poor Johnny.”
‘After Johnny’s surgery they were all really hopeful that would be the end of it’