Touching details about late Australian singer Johnny Ruffo’s relationship with long-time girlfriend Tahnee Sims have emerged as the country mourns the loss of the talented 35-year-old.
The couple first met in 2015 at a dancing studio and dated throughout Ruffo’s two cancer diagnoses, with the Home and Away actor describing Ms Sims his “guardian angel”.
In his book, No Finish Line, he documented their difficult decision to freeze his sperm out of concern it would be damaged by his treatment.
He wrote he “was having to have conversations about chemotherapy, radiation, and whether it was necessary to freeze my sperm just in case I became infertile.”
“This meant I needed to freeze my sperm … did I really need to freeze my sperm? After all, I didn’t want kids and neither did Tahnee,” he said.
Ruffo made it widely known that Ms Sims was the reason he initially went to hospital for what he thought was an intense headache but ended up being a brain tumour.
He had planned to sleep it off, but his insistent girlfriend pushed him to have a check, which ultimately at the time, saved his life.
“The surgeon said, ‘if you had not come in to have the MRI and we wouldn’t have found the tumour. You wouldn’t have woken up the next morning’,” he told 7Entertainment last year.
Ruffo repeatedly professed his love, appreciation and adoration for his partner in media interviews throughout his health battle.
“[Her love and support has meant] everything. It’s meant the world to me,” Ruffo told Today Extra.
“Without her, I literally wouldn’t be here.”
Ruffo first revealed his health struggle in August 2017, saying he had undergone surgery to remove a brain tumour. A week later, he announced he had been diagnosed with brain cancer and would be starting aggressive treatment.
Some positive news came in 2019, when Ruffo said he had been cleared of cancer. He went on to release his first single in four years, which was titled Broken Glass.
But then came news in November 2020 the cancer had returned.
Speaking to The Project’s then host Carrie Bickmore in August last year, Ruffo delivered a sad update in his battle: His cancer was terminal.
Ms Sims described him as a “fighter” in a video posted to Instagram in August, which marked six years since the singer was first diagnosed.
Ruffo has spoken extensively about the crucial support she has given him throughout his battle, saying she was incredible and he couldn’t fault her in any way.
Between the difficulties of treatment and recovery, Ruffo said it was their shared sense of humour that got them both through.
“We just have fun. We make each other laugh so much, You know that gut-wrenching laugh with tears coming from your eyes?” the star previously told Now to Love.
“We argue and fight just like every other couple, but we make up too.”
Ms Sims kept Instagram followers updated with cute photos of her and Ruffo’s relationship, including everything from relaxing at home to taking adventure holidays together.
His heartbroken family announced the tragic news of his death on Friday.
“It is with a heavy heart that today we had to farewell our beloved Johnny,” a statement posted on Ruffo’s official Instagram account read.
“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.”