Johnny Ruffo and Lynne McGranger have just proven they have a friendship made of gold, as Ruffo takes a moment to celebrate his former co-star on her 70th birthday.
Over the weekend Home and Away fans were left feeling nostalgic and sentimental after Ruffo, 34, shared a sweet birthday tribute to McGranger.
“Happiest of birthdays to one of my best friends @lynnemcgranger you’re like a fine wine,” Ruffo captioned his post, which showed the Aussie television stars beaming at the camera in front of birthday balloons.
“Aww sweetheart. So so happy to see you and Tahnee darling. Let’s catch up soon,” McGranger commented back in response.
Fans were delighted to see the pair reunited, quickly flooding Ruffo’s comment section with birthday greetings to McGranger and praise for their beautiful friendship.
“Loved the on screen R’ship these two had on H&A.”
“One day I’d love to see you return. Miss your character xx.”
“I’m so happy you both found great friendships in each other love ya both.”
“Happy birthday Lynne. Lovely pic of you two. This friendship is everything.”
“Love this. Happy Birthday Lynne you have always been a great support for Johnny.”
Despite their 35-year difference, McGranger and Ruffo’s friendship has only gone from strength to strength.
The pair first met back in 2013 when Ruffo had first landed his role on Home and Away. The co-stars initially bonded over their shared love for AFL, creating a tradition whereby whomever’s team ranked lower at the end of each season owned the other dinner.
Shortly after his initial cancer diagnosis in 2017, McGranger further reinforced her close friendship with Ruffo.
In her appearance for Channel Seven’s tv special on Ruffo’s health battle, News Spotlight: Fight Of His Life, McGranger had said the young actor was the “son she never had” and declared that she “loved him to death”.
“She came and visited (me) in hospital when I was recovering, she’s been to visit me at home, she’s taken me to lunch,” Ruffo told 7News.
“She’s been an incredible support.
“She’s honestly one of my best friends, which is the strangest thing ever because I’m 34 and she’s… older.”
In 2020, after revealing that his cancer had returned, Ruffo told Now To Love that McGranger was still an important part of his life. Telling the publication that he still sees his former co-star “every other week”.
Ruffo has since been told that his second bout of cancer is terminal, but has reassured everyone that he was “powering through” his battle.
“At some point, it will get me but I’m still fighting. Still kicking on…I’m already winning. My goal now is to try and help as many people as I can and also live a happy life,” he said.