Inside Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta’s 40-year friendship and dating rumours

Grease stars Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta remained lifelong friends following the release of the film in 1978 and were often surrounded by rumours of a romance

Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta enjoyed a 40-year friendship after starring in Grease in 1978.

The talented pair stole our hearts playing Sandy and Danny and publicly supported each other for decades after - through the good times and the bad as they endured divorce, ill health and tragedy.

Following the sad news of Olivia's death yesterday, loyal John, 68, was one of the first celebrities to pay tribute to the beloved actress.

"From the first moment I saw you, I was yours," John told his beloved friend in a heartfelt statement.

We take a look back at their enduring friendship and address those lingering romance rumours that followed them for years after their sizzling on-screen chemistry.

Lifelong friends

Olivia and John remained lifelong friends following the release of the 1978 musical comedy.

Grease remains one of the best musicals of all time making overnight stars of its actors.

Speaking to People magazine in 2018 to commemorate Grease's 40th anniversary, Olivia said: "You got the feeling from the energy that something was happening. It was a huge response. I feel grateful to be a part of that and to have worked with him [John]. We've stayed friends ever since."

Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta enjoyed a 40-year friendship

Image:

( AFP via Getty Images)

In 2019, the Pulp Fiction star told US Weekly the pair used to text “all the time.”

John also revealed he would visit Olivia on the set of her shows where they would “go backstage and hang out".

“If I go to see her personally, we usually have dinner and catch up,” he added.

The couple also publicly supported each other through illness and the death of family members.

The father-of-one's wife Kelly Preston sadly passed away from breast cancer in July 2020 after battling the disease for two years.

Many fans wondered if their romance was real

Image:

( Getty Images)

After her death, Olivia paid tribute to Kelly, telling US Weekly: “She was a very beautiful person, inside and out, and was beautiful to look at,” adding that “she had a gentle spirit and I just feel so, so much for John and the children.”

These comments came as the actress was fighting her third bout of breast cancer.

Romance rumours

With their undeniable chemistry, there was speculation John and Olivia were more than just friends.

They stole our hearts as Sandy and Danny

Image:

( Getty Images)

Fans worldwide wished the reports to be true, but the rumours were put to bed in 2018.

On the No Filter podcast, Olivia discussed her relationship with John, insisting she was more like a "sister" to the actor than anything else.

She also reckoned their lack of romance in the real world “kept the tension and the chemistry,” between them alive during filming.

The Aussie added that if they had started dating it “could have been a real disaster if we had decided to go out or had a fight or something like that.”

"Yours from the first moment I saw you and forever!"

Image:

( Redferns)

Tribute

Following the heartbreaking news of Olivia's passing yesterday, John was one of the first to pay tribute to the star.

Taking to Instagram with a photo of the actress, he wrote: "My dearest Olivia... 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!"

Rest In Peace, Olivia.

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