Grease star Didi Conn broke down in tears during her appearance on Loose Women as she spoke about her touching friendship with Olivia Newton-John.
Olivia's husband John Easterling announced the sad news that she had died aged 73 as he shared a statement via her Facebook page on Monday. The actress, who played Sandy in the hit musical movie, passed away at her ranch in Southern California on Monday August 8.
The star had breast cancer for 30 years, though her cause of death has not yet been confirmed. She is survived by her husband John, 70, and daughter Chloe, 36.
Speaking on Loose Women today, Didi - who played Frenchy opposite Olivia in Grease - paid tribute to her friend and co-star as she was left tearful seeing photos of Olivia on screen.
"It always brings tears to my eyes to see a picture of her," Didi said. "It's still really fresh. [We were friends for] over 40 years now - '78 is when we met. She was a beauty and I love hearing when you say 'Dame' Olivia Newton-John."
Asked what it had been like when they first met on set, Didi said: "She had been in a movie that she wasn't pleased about and she asked John [Travolta] to do a screen test with her to make sure that it would work. The chemistry between them was so vibrant, so real.
"I think they did the scene in the drive-in - and who could not have a crush on John Travolta?! And he right away had a crush on her, so that was great. But the first day of shooting, we were together to walk on to the campus for first day of school and she was so nervous. She was shaking and I was like, 'I'm a big veteran of movies - I did two - so OK, I'll improvise to get her into the character!'"
Announcing the news of her death, Olivia's husband John wrote earlier this week: ""=Dame Olivia Newton-John (73) passed away peacefully at her Ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by family and friends. 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."
*Loose Women airs weekdays at 12.30pm on ITV
