Olivia Newton-John dismisses rumours about her declining health: "I'm doing great"

3 January 2019, 09:18 | Updated: 14 October 2020, 22:21

The Grease icon has responded to claims that she has just "weeks" to live.

Olivia Newton-John posted a short video on social media, wishing fans a happy new year, and said that reports of her health were not true.

“I just want to say that the rumours of my death have been greatly exaggerated, to quote a very famous quote,” she said.

“I’m doing great and I want to wish all of you the happiest, healthiest 2019 that’s possible and thank you all for your wonderful support for me and for my Olivia Newton-John cancer wellness centre in Melbourne, Australia.”

US tabloid site Radar Online recently claimed that the 70-year-old singer was “clinging on to life” following her battle with cancer.

The reports were then picked up by a number of Australian publications, sparking an outpouring of grief in her home country.

This forced members of her family and friends to deny the rumours. Her niece Tottie Goldsmith dismissed the claims in a post on Instagram.

"Just giving you the heads up that Livvy is in good health, so let’s leave that distressing rumour where it belongs,” she wrote.

Olivia Newton-John postponed tour dates in 2017 after she revealed a second diagnosis of breast cancer. Last year, she revealed she had received a third diagnosis for cancer, and that her stage-four breast cancer had metastasised to her spine.

Speaking to Channel Seven’s Sunday Night, she said: “I’m one of millions in this fight. I shouldn’t say fight ... in this journey.”