Image source, Getty Images

We're wrapping up our live coverage now - thanks for following. Here's a recap of what's happened this evening:

• Tributes have been paid to British-Australian singer and actress Olivia Newton-John who has died from cancer aged 73
• She was best known for her role as Sandy in the 1978 film Grease - one of the most successful film musicals of all time
• Her co-star John Travolta said she "made all of our lives so much better" while the film's director said she was charming and loving, adding: "What you see is what you get with her"
• She has also been praised for her role as a cancer campaigner. The cancer institute in Melbourne that was named after her said she was the "light at the end of the tunnel" for so many

You can read the latest story on the tributes here, or to read her obituary that's here.

Shaimaa Khalil
Australia correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

As I sit and write this, one name dominates my Twitter feed and the Australian morning programming. Even when they go to other news the ABC, Australia’s national broadcaster has one ongoing ticker on the screen.

“Olivia Newton-John dies – tributes flood in following death of the Australian star."

“For all of us who grew up watching Grease, an era has ended," said Australia’s deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Richard Marles.

“Australia, just lost our queen. Rest well, Olivia Newton-John” Twitter user Matt CDawson tweeted., external

From politicians to Hollywood stars to fans across the world, Olivia Newton-John is being mourned.

Newton-John was a UK born, Australian recording star who shot to fame in the US after starring opposite John Travolta in Grease.

Her songs are etched in the memories of millions. Many of whom have said they’ll be listening to hits like "You’re The One That I Want" and "Physical" all day in remembrance.

“Australia is going to wake up grieving her – time to listen to Grease all day in tribute” tweeted @PetrifyTCG., external

“Australia and the world was hopelessly devoted to you RIP Olivia Newton-John," tweeted Kirsti Miller., external

But the star was also known for her philanthropy. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, the year her father died of cancer.

For decades she has raised awareness and significant funds for cancer research.

Today, flags are flying at half-mast outside the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Institute in her hometown of Melbourne.

She will no doubt be remembered as a musical icon. But as Australia bids farewell to its "sweetheart", she will also be remembered as a symbol of kindness and hope.

It wasn't too long ago that Olivia Newton-John became Dame Olivia, recognised for her services to music, cancer research and charity.

Upon being given the honour in the 2019 New Year list, she spoke of her pride at being British, telling reporters at the time:

Image source, Getty Images

When Grease came out in 1978, the reaction from fans was intense, Newton-John's co-star John Travolta has said previously.

Speaking to the BBC in 2012, he said Paramount film studios was "relentless" about trying to get a third film made. Grease 2 came out in 1982, but neither Travolta or Newton-John were involved.

"There's just such magic to that first one that it's hard to compete with that," Travolta told the BBC.

The pandemonium that surrounded them at the height of Grease's fame saw barriers strained, girls fainting and Travolta being rushed with a police escort through crowds, as he ran a gauntlet of grabbing hands.

The occasion was the UK premiere of Grease in July 1978. "I have a phenomenal memory of the intensity," said Travolta.

"Our limo rocked, the ceiling started to cave in because of the fans, and the police couldn't control them.

"I don't know what it compares to - other than when The Beatles came to the US for the first time. We were getting that kind of reaction in the UK."

Fans had fallen in love with Sandy and Danny before the film even came out, thanks to the success of the single, You're The One That I Want, which topped the charts around the world in May.

Singer Kylie Minogue is among the latest to pay tribute to her fellow Australian performer, saying she has "loved and looked up" to her since she was 10-years-old.

"She was, and always will be, an inspiration to me in so many, many ways."

Like Newton-John, Minogue has also experienced breast cancer.

Simon Atkinson
Australia producer, BBC News

Image source, Getty Images

Flags are flying at half-mast outside the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Institute in Melbourne – to which the star gave her name and high profile support.

The facility helps patients live with cancer, focusing on treatment and wellness programmes as well as doing research and clinical trials in the search for cures.

Foundation director Debbie Shiell told ABC Breakfast how proud Newton-John was of the work done there.

"She drove around the corner and saw her name up on the building. She said it was better than any billboard she's ever seen.”

The star was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992 – on the same weekend her father died of cancer.

"She was always positive, and she was always hopeful and she gave so much hope to so many people,” Shiell said.

“And it was really important to her that the cancer centre here offer wellness programmes, because she found those wellness programmes like yoga and meditation so helpful to her in her journey, that she wanted to make sure that she could provide those to everybody.

"I think anybody who knows Olivia just knew what a beautiful soul she was and what genuine happiness she exuded. Her visits here in the centre were just so special to the staff here who worked so hard, but also to the patients who are going through so much.

"And just watching her walk into the room, watching her, the faces light up, the joy that she brings to so many people just by being there.

"She was the light at the end of the tunnel for so many people.

"Olivia would sign off a lot of her emails: 'love and light, Olivia'. And she was love and light.

"It was always her dream to see an end of cancer in her lifetime, and she hasn't quite seen that. But certainly that is something we plan to continue on in her name here, and we plan to continue her legacy and to keep her dreams alive.

"We will have memorials, and we will find a way to remember Olivia, but not this morning. This morning, we're just remembering what a wonderful woman she was."

Dionne Warwick, who recorded a duet with Olivia Newton-John in 2006, has tweeted:

"Another angelic voice has been added to the Heavenly Choir.

"Not only was Olivia a dear friend, but one of the nicest people I had the pleasure of recording and performing with," she said.

More tributes are coming in, this time from actress Viola Davis who praises Newton-John's talent, poise and beauty.

US singer Richard Marx, who dueted with the star, said he would "miss her every day".

"My heart is broken. Rest now, sweet friend," he wrote on Twitter. "You were as kind and loving a person as there's ever been. I'll miss you every day."

Meanwhile broadcaster Piers Morgan describes her as "gutsy, warm and talented", external - and says the star previously told her that her favourite song from Grease was Hopelessly Devoted To You.

Image source, Reuters

We've been reading more tributes to Olivia Newton-John.

As we reported earlier, her Grease co-star John Travolta wrote on instagram that her "impact was incredible" and signed off his tribute to the actress as "your Danny".

Hollywood star Antonio Banderas tweeted: "Rest in peace, Olivia Newton-John. Deepest condolences to her family and loved ones."

US actress Rosanna Arquette, who won a best supporting actress Bafta for her performance in 1985's Desperately Seeking Susan, was also among those paying tribute. She tweeted: "Fly with the angels Olivia Newton-John."

Filmmaker Edgar Wright, whose credits include Last Night in Soho and Baby Driver, added: "Olivia Newton-John so completely dominated the charts and Top Of The Pops when I was a kid, it felt like she was pop music.

"And yes, Xanadu is still a stone cold classic song. RIP."

Olivia Newton-John's daughter, Chloe Lattanzi, has paid tribute to her mother with a selection of images on Instagram.

It includes pictures of Lattanzi as a baby, as well as some of the pair appearing to give an interview together.

Fellow Australian singer Peter Andre has joined the host of celebrities paying tribute to Olivia Newton-John.

Andre made his West End debut this summer playing the role of Vince Fontaine in Grease The Musical in London.

He said he'd "had the privilege of meeting the incredible Olivia a few times" and that she "always lit up the room".

Olivia Newton-John sang the UK's Eurovision entry, Long Live Love, in 1974 and ended up taking fourth place in the year Abba won with Waterloo.

Tonight the Eurovision Song Contest paid tribute to the singer, tweeting simply Long Live Olivia.

Image source, Rex Features

After a string of attempts to make it as a singer, Newton-John's breakthrough came in 1971 when she released a Bob Dylan-penned track, If Not For You, which reached number seven in the UK charts and featured on an album of the same name.

In 1974, a country-flavoured album - Let Me Be There - saw her gain a massive following in the US. The eponymous single winning her a Grammy for Best Female Country Vocalist.

But by 1977 her career was faltering. A meeting with producer Alan Carr saw her offered the part of Sandy in a film version of the musical, Grease.

Worried that at 28 she was too old for the teenage role, she insisted on a screen test with John Travolta before accepting the part. The character of Sandy was recast as an expat Australian to accommodate Newton-John's accent.

The film went on to be the biggest box-office hit of 1978, and gave her three hit singles, You're The One That I Want, Hopelessly Devoted to You and Summer Nights - as well as a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress.

It was a catalyst for change in both her image and her musical direction. She appeared on the cover of her next album, Totally Hot, dressed in black leather. It was her first US Top 10 album since 1975.

The follow-up, Physical, was her most overtly sexual record, and was hailed by many critics as her best album. The title track held the Billboard number one spot for 10 weeks.

Image source, Getty Images

The Hollywood Chamber Of Commerce says flowers will be laid on Olivia Newton-John's star on the Walk Of Fame in Los Angeles, following news of her death.

She was honoured with the star almost 41 years ago to the day, on 5 August 1981.

It is located at 6901 Hollywood Boulevard.

Image source, EPA

Tributes are pouring in for Olivia Newton-John.

Star Trek actor George Takei called her a "great, iconic artist".

"I trust she is now in the great Xanadu beyond," he said, referring to her 1980 film. "Know that we are forever hopelessly devoted to you, Olivia. Rest in song and mirth."

Oscar-winning actress Marlee Matlin recalled starring alongside Newton-John in the 1996 film It's My Party, one of the first films to address the topic of Aids patients dying with dignity.

She said on Twitter: "I am SO saddened at the news of the passing of Olivia Newton John. I remember being so star struck when I met her at my first Hollywood gathering for Paramount. She was the sweetest and brightest light and I loved getting to know her on It's My Party. RIP dear, sweet Olivia."

US filmmaker James Gunn, calling Newton-John his "first real crush", tweeted: "I loved Grease & her music & I coincidentally also bought & lived in for a while the wonderful home she built in Malibu. May she Rest In Peace."

Best known for her role as Sandy Olsson in the 1978 musical film Grease, Newton-John began her career as the sweetheart of country-flavoured pop.

But it all changed when she donned black spandex to sing the famous hit You're The One That I Want, which saw Newton-John and co-star John Travolta shimmy their way through a school carnival.

Her new raunchy image found its peak in her 1981 album, Physical.

A diagnosis of breast cancer saw her move to an introspective style and she devoted more time to humanitarian causes.

Read the full obituary here.

Image source, Reuters

Writing on Instagram, John Travolta who starred alongside her in Grease, said that her "impact was incredible".

"My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better," he wrote.

"Your impact was incredible. I love you so much. We will see you down the road and we will all be together again.

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

Olivia Newton-John’s death was announced on her Instagram page in a statement by her husband.

In it, John Easterling praised his wife for being a “symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years, sharing her journey with breast cancer”.

Her manager Mark Hartley has told the BBC she died from cancer.