Olivia Newton-John coming home amid cancer battle

It seems Olivia Newton-John was so thrilled about being included in the Australia Day honours list that she has decided it calls for a trip back Down Under, despite the fact she is battling her third bout of breast cancer.

The Aussie star received the most prestigious award of the day – a Companion in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AC) – for her ’eminent service to community health, particularly for people living with cancer, through support for medical research, and as a songwriter and performer’.

Through her own battle with cancer, Olivia has committed herself to furthering fields of research, founding the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute.

In a statement, the 70-year-old said she was honoured to receive the award.

“To be presented with this esteemed recognition by the Governor-General fills me with gratitude and pride to be Australian,” she said last month.

While she is based on her Santa Barbara ranch with husband John, the award seems to have spurred Olivia on to organise a trip home, against doctors orders, according to a close friend.

Coming home

“Her heartstrings are pulling her home,” the friend told Woman’s Day magazine.

“Although it would be a huge effort, she’s desperate to fly back to Australia in March to receive the award in person.

“She’s being very brave – as obviously her medicos have cautioned her against it.”

Battle with cancer

Olivia was first diagnosed with breast cancer in the early 90s’ and relapsed in 2013, but kept it secret.

She then received the heartbreaking diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer in 2017.

Joh Travolta – who starred with Olivia in Grease – previously revealed his former Aussie co-star is doing well, despite her ongoing battle with the disease.

“From what I hear talking to her she’s fine. I think she even made a public announcement in her own video, [saying] that she was fine,” John, 64, told Entertainment Tonight.

Health rumours

Olivia did indeed take to social media last month to squash a report that claimed the singer was ‘clinging on to life’.

The 70-year-old recorded a video of herself, shared on her official Facebook page, in which she assured fans she was “doing great”.

“This is Olivia Newton-John and I just want to say that the rumours of my death have been greatly exaggerated to quote a very famous quote,” she said in the piece-to-camera.

“And I’m doing great and I want to wish all of you the happiest, healthiest 2019 that’s possible.

“Thank you all for your wonderful love and support, for me and my Olivia Newton-John cancer wellness centre in Melbourne, Australia. “

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