TV Guide: 7NEWS Spotlight Olivia Newton-John's magical life

7NEWS Spotlight will pay tribute to the life of Dame Olivia Newton-John, in a special event episode to air this Sunday, 8.30 pm on Channel 7 and 7plus. 

Bee Gees great Barry Gibb, UK music veteran Cliff Richard and her pop protege Delta Goodrem share their intimate and heartful memories of the late singer, actor and activist, who died this week after a determined three-decade battle with breast cancer. 

In an interview with the global superstar never seen before, Olivia shares the details of the final resting place in Australia she chose for herself before her tragic death. 

As part of her legacy of ‘love and light,’ the 73-year-old’s passing will be marked by a musical tribute from the female singers she inspired - in a performance of one of her biggest hits, ‘I Honestly Love You' starring Wendy Matthews, Dami Im, Katie Noonan and Samantha Jade. 

Matthews, who topped the charts when her single, ‘The Day You Went Away’ memorialised the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, will help cover ONJ’s breakout single; while The X Factor winner Dami Im has agreed to break from her maternity leave to lend her voice to the special, in homage to her idol. 

Andrew Mercado from Mediaweek reflected on Olivia Newton-John and her Australian TV appearances earlier this week, stating that she would joyfully appear on almost every Aussie talk show and awards ceremony.

“Olivia’s career began on Aussie TV in the 1960s on music shows like The Happy Show (Seven), The Go!! Show (10) and Sing Sing Sing (Seven). As she took over the world, Olivia guested on variety shows from Dean Martin, Andy Williams, Cliff Richard and Bob Hope,” he said. 

“Olivia began headlining her own variety specials from 1976, and most of them are on YouTube, apart from the one with Abba. Australia always got a mention, especially Olivia Down Under (1988).”