After rumours began circulating that Olivia Newton-John was battling cancer for a third time, following the sudden cancellation of two upcoming appearances in Australia, a representative for the Grease star has publicly rubbished the false claims.
While the Hollywood star has fought cancer twice already – her most recent diagnosis just last year – the 69-year-old’s publicist confirmed to fans that Newton-John is not ill and simply has other commitments which clashed with the dates.
“Olivia Newton-John’s two upcoming speaking appearances in Australia were cancelled due to scheduling conflicts with her upcoming promotional tour for her new book, ‘Don’t Stop Believin” and the ONJ Cancer Wellness and Research Centre’s Wellness Walk and Research Run – not illness, as falsely reported,” her publicist Michael Caprio told Page Six.
“She’s looking forward to walking with everyone at the Wellness Walk on September 16 in Melbourne and is excited that this year the walk is going global and people can support it by becoming virtual walkers from wherever they are in the world.”
The false reports appeared on US gossip site Radar shortly after the cancellation was announced on Wednesday, claiming the actress was facing a terrible diagnosis of breast cancer again and was holding on hope she would make it to her 70th birthday.
According to her rep, all is well with the blonde beauty, just over a year since she revealed that the breast cancer she was first diagnosed with in 1992 had spread to her sacrum – a bone at the base of her spine – in May 2017.
Sadly what was initially believed to be sciatica, was later found to be cancer that had metastasised to the sacrum.
Showing her fighting spirit and determination to live a long and healthy life, just months later in August, Olivia shared a cheery message with fans after completing a short course of photon radiation therapy and using natural wellness therapies.
“Being on this journey again has brought me closer to what every patient and their families are going through at the ONJ, and what we need to do to help support them,” she wrote.
“I am feeling good and enjoying total support from my family, friends and my loyal fans. I am totally confident that my new journey will have a positive success story to inspire others.”
The much-loved actress is known to have previously used medical marijuana to help her throughout treatment.