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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Corrie David

Grease co-star who played Frenchie pays tribute to Olivia Newton-John

Hundreds of people have paid heartwarming tributes to Olivia Newton-John after her death was announced. The British-Australian singer-songwriter and actress died on the morning of Monday, August 8, her family announced.

In a statement from her husband , he said she passed away peacefully at her ranch in southern California, surrounded by family and friends. Olivia, who played Sandy in the hit musical movie Grease, had been battling breast cancer for 30 years and will be remembered for her activism as well as her musical career.

Tributes have poured in for the actress, including a heartwarming tribute from Greece co-star John Travolta - read that her e - and fellow Aussie singer-songwriter Kylie Minogue, who called her an inspiration. On BBC Breakfast this morning, another co-star Didi Conn, who played Frenchy, remembered her dear friend.

She said: "I had been ill this year and [Olivia] didn't know, and when she found out she sent me an orchid plant. That was about two months ago and just Friday, the plant which had lost all its beautiful buds, a new one popped up. I thought of Olivia and I thought, how lucky I have been to be her friend.

Olivia's husband John Easterling, who she married in 2008, said: "We ask that everyone please respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time. Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer. Her healing inspiration and pioneering experience with plant medicine continues with the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, dedicated to researching plant medicine and cancer. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made in her memory to the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund (ONJFoundationFund.org).

"Olivia is survived by her husband John Easterling; daughter Chloe Lattanzi; sister Sarah Newton-John; brother Toby Newton-John; nieces and nephews Tottie, Fiona and Brett Goldsmith; Emerson, Charlie, Zac, Jeremy, Randall, and Pierz Newton-John; Jude Newton-Stock, Layla Lee; Kira and Tasha Edelstein; and Brin and Valerie Hall."

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