Home and Away star Johnny Ruffo diagnosed with brain cancer: 'Please stay positive for me'

Former Home and Away star Johnny Ruffo has been diagnosed with brain cancer.

The 29-year-old actor shared the heartbreaking news to Instagram on August 17.

"It was a bit of a shock and I've got an interesting journey ahead and a bit of a battle," he wrote to his 222,000 followers.

"I am starting aggressive treatment for the next few months to fight the diagnosis of brain cancer. Please stay positive for me and I'll try to update you guys on my progress."



Along with fans wishing him well, the post garnered encouraging messages from a number of Johnny's celebrity friends.

"I can't believe what I'm reading mate. It's just not sinking in. We're all here for you Johnny and without a doubt," wrote former X Factor Australia judge Taylor Henderson. "We're all praying for you. Look after yourself big fella!"

Former Home and Away star Jackson Heywood added that Johnny had "every bit of love and support from my end mate."

Survivor's El Rowland shared: "You got this mate."

Actor Jake Speer wrote he was "sending you lots of love", adding, "You need anything at all, anytime, you give me a call! Stay strong mate."

Just over one week ago, Johnny revealed he had undergone emergency surgery to remove a brain tumour after complaints of a migraine.



"Some things in life really put things into perspective, hoping for a positive result, keep me in your thoughts x," he wrote in an Instagram photo revealing his post-surgery scars on August 9.

The singer and actor rose to stardom on the third season of The X Factor Australia, where he placed third. He's best known for his role as Chris Harrington on Home and Away.

On how he made the jump from singing to acting, including nabbing a role on Nine's teleseries House of Bond, he told the TODAY show earlier this year: "I've always wanted to try my hand in acting so the transition was fairly natural."



Johnny been dating dancer Tahnee Sims, 23, for nearly two years. On August 13, she shared a hopeful photo of them together as Johnny recovered from emergency surgery.