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Evening Standard
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Tina Campbell

John Travolta pays touching tribute to the late Olivia Newton John on what would have been her 74th birthday

John Travolta has remembered his late Grease co-star Olivia Newton John on what would have been her birthday

(Picture: Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images)

John Travolta has paid touching tribute to his late Grease co-star and friend, Dame Olivia Newton John, on what would have been her 74th birthday.

The actor, 68, took to Instagram Stories on Monday (September 26), where he shared a picture of himself and Newton John in the 1978 hit musical, as their iconic characters Danny and Sandy.

“Happy birthday my Olivia,” he wrote under the snap.

The two stars first met on the set of Grease and, while they declined to star in the sequel, they reteamed five years later in the 1983 film Two Of A Kind.

John Travolta posted a picture of him and Olivia Newton John as their characters Danny and Sandy in the 1978 movie Grease (John Travolta/Instagram)

They retained a strong friendship for 44 years until her passing a month ago from breast cancer.

The actress and singer was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, which she successfully battled.

She was diagnosed once again in 2013, which she recovered from.

The cancer returned in 2017, however, and spread to her bones, resulting in a terminal stage four diagnosis.

The British-born star’s husband, John Easterling, confirmed that she died “peacefully” at her ranch in Southern California on August 8, surrounded by her family and friends.

Following her death, Travolta posted a throwback picture of her online.

“My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better. Your impact was incredible. I love you so much,” he wrote alongside it.

Adding: “We will see you down the road and we will all be together again. Yours from the moment I saw you and forever.”

He signed off: “Your Danny, your John!”

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