Former EastEnders' star Samantha Womack has told fans she has cancer.
The actress revealed she is "starting my own battle with this disease" as she paid tribute to Olivia Newton-John on Tuesday, following her death at her ranch in America on Monday.
The Grease icon passed away aged 73, surrounded by her family and loved ones, it was announced by her husband on Monday night.
Samantha appeared to have found strength from the actress, who battled breast cancer for three decades, to share her own health struggles. Uploading a throwback photo from her time on the West End stage in the Grease production, Samantha recalled how Olivia Newton-John came to see her while she did a turn in the musical on stage in the tribute.
She wrote: "This was the most magical of evenings. Olivia and Chloe had come to see Grease in London and we had dinner together afterwards.
"I was so excited and in awe, she was my childhood. I now start my own battle with this disease and am left feeling deeply moved."
Sam played Sandy in Grease in the West End.
She is best known for playing the role of Ronnie Mitchell in BBC soap EastEnders but has also had iconic roles in 90s comedy Game On, and she represented the United Kingdom in the 1991 Eurovision Song Contest.
Dozens of fans rushed to offer Sam support after the comment on Twitter.
This Morning's Soap correspondent Sharon Marshall said: "Wishing you love and strength."
Mirror Online has contacted Samantha's agent for further comment.
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