Cast of Grease musical broke the news of Olivia Newton-John’s death to audience

Peter Andre has revealed that the cast of Grease’s West End musical broke the news of Olivia Newton-John’s death to their ‘shocked’ audience after Monday night’s performance.

The actor and singer, 49, who plays Vince Fontaine in the show, appeared on Tuesday’s Lorraine with the news where he paid tribute to the late actress.

The Australian singer died on Monday aged 73 surrounded by family at her ranch in southern California after a 30-year battle with breast cancer. 

Speaking on the daytime TV show Peter revealed that the cast had found out that Olivia died half-way through last night’s show and were shocked.

He explained that after the performance, the actress who played her character Sandy on stage addressed the audience and revealed the news. 

Speaking to host Ranvir Singh, she said: ‘Everything has been said about Olivia Newton-John sounds spot on. 

‘She was warm – it’s really rare that you meet someone in this industry that is exactly what you hope they’re going to be like. Exactly like you pray they’re going to be like.

Sad: The Australian singer died on Monday aged 73 surrounded by family at her ranch in southern California after a 30-year battle with breast cancer

‘I met her a long time ago. But the show last night, the cast had found out halfway through the show. So when Olivia, who is playing Sandy – when the show ended she had to give an announcement to the audience to say the sad news and honestly, the audience were in shock.’

He said that it would be a ‘very different show’ from now on for everybody ‘because all those songs are so iconic’. 

Peter confirmed that every show from now on would be dedicated to the singer.

Kind: Peter confirmed that every show from now on would be dedicated to the singer (full cast are pictured) 

Loss: He said that it would be a ‘very different show’ from now on for everybody ‘because all those songs are so iconic’

He explained: ‘And rightfully so because it’s so sad to see this. Even though you knew she was battling [cancer], she was so brave and she was so strong that when the news came, we were all in shock. We didn’t expect that to happen.’

The Australian icon lost her battle with breast cancer on Monday morning, surrounded by her husband John Easterling and other close friends and family. 

Easterling revealed the actress’ final request was for donations to be made to the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, ‘in lieu of flowers’.

The foundation funds research into plant-based medicine and holistic treatments for cancer.

Announcement: Peter explained: ‘Olivia (pictured), who is playing Sandy – when the show ended she had to give an announcement to the audience to say the sad news and honestly, the audience were in shock’

Newton-John’s battle with breast cancer first began in 1992 when she was just 44 years old.

She was very open about her diagnosis and treatment, which famously included the use of medical marijuana. Her cancer returned in 2013 and again in 2017.

Newton-John and Easterling met while on a ayahuasca retreat in Peru.

Tough: The Australian icon lost her battle with breast cancer on Monday morning, surrounded by her husband John Easterling and other close friends and family 

One of the star’s first high-profile friends to pay tribute was her Grease co-star John Travolta.

‘My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better. Your impact was incredible. I love you so much. We will see you down the road and we will all be together again,’ he captioned an Instagram post alongside a photo of Newton-John.

‘Yours from the first moment I saw you and forever! Your Danny, your John!’  

Reaction: Fans left flowers and photos on Newton-John’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (above) after she died Monday morning