EXCLUSIVE: "Scary and frightening" Johnny's loved ones speak

Johnny Ruffo's manager says the singer is trying to "keep positive" in what she's calling an "awful situation".

The 29-year-old former Home & Away star was diagnosed with aggressive brain cancer after having a brain tumour removed last week.

Speaking to Be, his manager Claire McLennan says the star is surrounded by his mother and his girlfriend, Tahnee Sims, as he prepares to begin treatment.

"It's scary and frightening this one," she said referring to his diagnosis, "especially for anyone going through this."

"Johnny's with his family at the moment. He's gotten so much support from everyone and it's just been lovely - there are still good people in this world."

The star's Instagram page has been inundated with messges of love since he announced his shock diagnosis last night.

Fellow Home & Away stars Ada Nicodemou and Rhianna Fish both sent their well wishes to Johnny with Ada writing: 'Fight the fight like I know u can'.

Johnny shot to fame after starring on The X Factor, placing third in the 2011 series.

Proving to be a triple threat, he has not only danced and sung his way into the hearts of Australians, but he's shown off his acting chops with a role on popular soap Home and Away.

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He played Chris Harrington on the Channel Seven Logie award-winning drama from 2013 to 2016.

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