Home and Away star Johnny Ruffo showed brave smile in final photo before death

Home and Away actor Johnny Ruffo was seen bravely smiling in the last photo taken of him before his death.

The actor passed away aged 35 on Friday (November 3) following a six-year-long battle with brain cancer. In the last picture he uploaded, Johnny could be seen sitting in a hospital chair with a grin on his face and his thumb up to the camera.

He captioned it: "Back to reality" with some boxing glove emojis. One fan wrote underneath: "You’re a machine Johnny, you’ve got this." The star first rose rose to fame on X Factor Australia, before turning his talents to Home and Away.

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Johnny first got his diagnosis in 2017 and worked hard to raise funding and awareness surrounding brain cancer in Australia. His family announced his passing on Instagram and wrote: "It is with a heavy heart that today we had to farewell our beloved Johnny…

"Surrounded by his partner Tahnee and family, Johnny went peacefully with the support of some incredible Nurses & Doctors. He was a very talented, charming and sometimes cheeky boy. Johnny was very determined and had a strong will.

"He battled all the way 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 easy."

Tributes poured in for the actor in the comment section as friends and fans sent their condolences. One wrote: "Rest in Peace Johnny. We never crossed paths, but I’ve heard so many wonderful stories about you during my time on the show. Much love to all of his family and friends Fly high mate."

A second added: "This doesn’t feel real. What a champion you were on & off the stage. Thanks for all the laughs Johnny! You did it all in your 35 years & the integrity & positivity you showed right to the end was true strength. Go well mate." Dannii Minogue even wrote: "The cheekiest chap. His voice, smile and dancing feet will be missed by so many. Thinking of his family in this heartbreaking time."

Johnny first shot to fame on X Factor in 2011 and then went on to star as Chris Harrington on Home and Away for three years. The singer was forced to put his career on hold in 2017 after his diagnosis, but after two years of treatment, he entered remission. However, his cancer sadly returned in 2020 and eventually became terminal.

Johnny told Channel 10 in 2022: "Looking up my diagnosis and my tumour and… the average life expectancy was three years. For me it's now been five years, so I'm already winning. "At some point, it is going to get me… My goal now is to try and help as many people as I can."

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