Calli Kitson
Published November 23, 2025 11:00am
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Johnny died at the age of 35 (Picture: Johnny Ruffo/Instagram)
Home and Away’s Lynne McGranger has paid tribute to friend and co-star Johnny Ruffo, who died in 2023.
Johnny rose to fame on the Australian version of The X Factor in 2011. He then joined the popular Aussie soap as Chris Harrington.
The beloved star was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2017 after going to hospital with painful migraines, and that summer he was rushed to surgery to have a 7cm brain tumour removed from his frontal lobe.
He then underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and went into remission months after the diagnosis, but he revealed in November 2020 that the disease had returned.
In August of 2022, he confirmed the brain cancer diagnosis was terminal.
Johnny played Chris Harrington in the soap (Picture: Seven)
Johnny died in November 2023 at the age of 35.
A statement on his Instagram page read at the time: ‘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.
Johnny Ruffo's Home and Away role
Johnny played Chris Harrington on Home and Away from 2013 to 2016.
Chris arrived in Summer Bay searching for brother Spencer, and ended up sticking around to help him through numerous problems.
One of his biggest storylines saw him accidentally poison Alf Stewart and Leah Patterson-Baker when he misidentified mushrooms and cooked them in a risotto.
Johnny worked closely with Lynne McGranger when Chris started renting a room from Irene Roberts.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DQ4CvkFjJ8t/
‘We all love you Johnny and will remember you for all the joy you brought to our lives. Rest easy.’
Two years on from Johnny’s death, Lynne McGranger has taken to Instagram to share an emotional post.
The star, best known for her role as Irene Roberts in the show, uploaded an image of her and Johnny hugging on a sofa and smiling.
With a broken heart emoji, she also wrote alongside: ‘Two years ago. Gone too soon my friend.’
The post prompted many of Lynne’s followers to also share comments as they reflected on Johnny’s passing.
Lynne departed Home and Away in the summer (Picture: Seven/Jeremy Greive)
This user said: ‘What a sad day hard to believe its been 2 years since he passed gone but never forgotten’.
Connor Muller wrote: ‘Sending you massive hugs Lynne…a sad day.’
Dave Eastgate penned: ‘I was the warm up guy on his very first audition for X Factor. He was an enigma. What a life?! What a career?!
‘A literal shooting star…’
Lynne McGranger has now left Home and Away. Her character Irene, who she played for over 30 years, departed Summer Bay to travel the world.
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This article was first published on November 12, 2025.
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