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Kerri-Anne Kennerley's beloved husband John has died at the age of 78 after a tragic fall in 2016 left him wheelchair bound. 

The veteran TV host announced the devastating news on her Instagram page on Thursday.  

The 65-year-old Studio 10 star was by John's side when he passed away at St. Vincent's Hospital in Sydney on Wednesday night. 

It's with a heavy heart and awful sadness that I let you know that my beautiful husband passed away': Kerri-Anne Kennerley's husband John died aged 78 after a tragic fall left him wheelchair bound

'It's with a heavy heart and awful sadness that I let you know that my beautiful husband John passed away last night,' Kerri-Anne wrote, alongside a photograph of the pair on their wedding day in 1984. 

'As you all know, John has faced some tremendous challenges over the past few years and with each he has been extraordinarily brave and determined to overcome those hurdles and live a normal life.'

She went on: 'I want to thank everyone at St Vincent's Hospital for the beautiful care they have provided to John in his last days. 

'John passed away peacefully with his son Simon and me by his side. John, you were the love of my life. Xxx'

Tragic: The 65-year-old Studio 10 star was by John's side when he passed away at St. Vincent's Hospital in Sydney. Pictured at a gala in June 2018

Heartbreaking: She wrote: 'John passed away peacefully with his son Simon and me by his side. John, you were the love of my life. Xxx'

John is survived by two children from a previous marriage. He was left paralysed after falling from a balcony while taking photos of Kerri-Anne during a golfing tournament in Coffs Harbour, NSW, in March 2016.

He was airlifted to hospital with spinal chord injuries. Doctors operated on his neck after it emerged he had fractured his C3 and C4 vertebrae. 

He was put in an induced coma, spent six weeks in intensive care and had multiple operations. Doctors diagnosed as an incomplete quadriplegic.

They initially warned that John may never again move or speak, but with Kerri-Anne by his side, he managed both.

In a rare Sunday Night interview in 2017, John said: '[Kerri-Anne] is very loving and she has been the strength of my whole recovery.'

'Without her I don't think I would have attempted it but, as I say, she was there when I woke up and she has been with me every day,' John explained.

'It is really, really been hard... I have appreciated it, she never faltered. Never faltered.'

Always by his side: John was left paralysed after he slipped off a balcony at a golf resort in March 2016. The couple are pictured at the Logies in April 2017

Accident: He was airlifted to hospital with spinal chord injuries after breaking the C3 and C4 vertebrae in his neck and was diagnosed as an incomplete quadriplegic

Nine's entertainment editor Richard Wilkins led the tributes to Kerri-Anne on Thursday morning, sending 'all his love and support' from the network. 

'Such, such sad news. John was just absolutely doted on Kerri-Anne. She was just so wonderful with him through those tough times,' he said on Nine's Today Extra

'They loved going out together and even in the wheelchair she'd take him to opening nights and premieres and things. She will be absolutely devastated. Kerri, to you and your beautiful family, all the love and support from your family here at Channel 9.' 

Kerri-Anne's Studio 10 panellists were in tears as they offered their condolences on Thursday. 

'She is such an extraordinary woman, for everything she has faced over the past few days, she has been putting on a smile and braving all of this stuff which does not matter, while her husband is terribly, terribly sick,' Sarah Harris said on air.

'He was an extraordinary man with a beautiful heart': Celebrity tributes pour in for John Kennerley

Kerri-Anne's Studio 10 panellists were in tears as they offered their condolences on Thursday. 

'She is such an extraordinary woman, for everything she has faced over the past few days, she has been putting on a smile and braving all of this stuff which does not matter, while her husband is terribly, terribly sick,' Sarah Harris said on air.

'The most awful things have been written about her. She is a spectacular woman and she's been holding it together at home and we're sending her and her family so much love.'

Angela Bishop added: 'John is someone I've known with Kerri-Anne for more than two decades, and he's just an extraordinary man with a beautiful, warm heart. 

Kerri-Anne's Studio 10 panellists Joe were in tears as they offered their condolences on Thursday. Pictured, Joe Hildebrand comforting an emotional Angela Bishop

'He and my late husband actually became firm friends because they were always the plus ones together at functions. He was just a beautiful, beautiful man and this is just devastating news and he really was absolutely the love of Kerri-Anne's life, there's just no question. They were couple goals, they really were.'

Bachelorette star Sophie Monk wrote on Instagram: 'Sending all my love, Kak. I'm so sorry.' She added a love heart to her message. 

TV veteran Lisa Wilkinsin posted a photo on Twitter of Kerri-Anne and John laughing together, with the comment: 'So sorry to hear of the passing of Kerri-Anne Kennerley's husband John. 

'Their love for each other was absolute. Never more so than in the years since John’s tragic accident. Vale.' 

Speaking on Nine's Today Extra, veteran entertainment reporter Richard Wilkins said: 'Such, such sad news. John, just absolutely doted on Kerrie-Anne. She was just so wonderful with him through those tough times.' 

'The most awful things have been written about her. She is a spectacular woman and she's been holding it together at home and we're sending her and her family so much love.'

Angela Bishop added: 'John is someone I've known with Kerri-Anne for more than two decades, and he's just an extraordinary man with a beautiful, warm heart. 

'He and my late husband actually became firm friends because they were always the plus ones together at functions. He was just a beautiful, beautiful man and this is just devastating news and he really was absolutely the love of Kerri-Anne's life, there's just no question. They were couple goals, they really were.'

Meanwhile, Bachelorette Georgia Love wrote underneath Kerri-Anne's Instagram post: 'Oh gosh I am so so terribly sorry Kerri-Anne xxx.'  

Bachelorette star Sophie Monk added: 'Sending all my love, Kak. I'm so sorry.' She added a love heart to her message. 

Grant Denyer's wife Chezzi said: 'Oh gosh this his heartbreaking news KA-K. Sending you so much love right now. We adore you! The Denyers xoxox.'

Sydney PR Queen Roxy Jacenko wrote: 'KAK I am thinking of you during this terribly sad time. Sending so much love.'

Australian model Tegan Martin penned: 'Thinking of you, Kak. He was a beautiful man.' 

Devoted: They initially warned that John may never again move or speak, but with Kerri-Anne by his side, he managed both

 Sweet: Kerri-Anne modified their home, installing purpose-built ramps to make life easier for John upon his return in November 2016 - eight months after the horrific fall

After John's fall, Kerri-Anne immediately took on the role of carer, and gave an update on his condition in June last year. 

'He needs care 24/7, he still can't push a button and can't feed himself, but the rest of his health is good,' she told New Idea.  

At the time she said her husband's injury required a huge lifestyle adjustment for the pair, but they still did their best to do a lot of what they've always enjoyed.

'We still like to have a good time, we like to chat, we read the newspaper - we discuss events... we just can't go out like we used to,' she said.

She described her husband as remarkable, and spoke enthusiastically about his motivation and progress with rehabilitation.

She said that amidst all the tragedy and hardship, she had never forgotten how lucky the pair are and they appreciated what they've been given and the support they have.

'We need to just get on with it. Life is for living, appreciate it,' Kerri-Ann added at the time. 

Kerri-Anne modified their home after the fall, installing purpose-built ramps to make life easier for John upon his return in November - eight months after the fall. 

Loved-up: Despite John's condition, the couple continued to make frequent red-carpet appearances over the years Pictured in April 2017

Never left him: Kerri-Anne immediately took on the role of carer for her husband, revealing he needs 24/7 care and can't feed himself but has 'good health'

She celebrated the milestone with a party with friends at their Woollahra home, writing on Instagram: 'John's home. This is the day I've been hoping and waiting for since March 6th. Thank you to each and everyone on of you. Forever thankful.' 

Despite John's condition, the couple continued to make frequent red-carpet appearances over the years, with Kerri-Anne posing proudly by her husband. 

John made such an impressive recovery that he was able to join Kerri-Anne at Australia Day Live in 2017, less than a year after his accident, and the Logies later that year. 

When Kerri-Anne was indicted into the TV Week Logie Hall of Fame in 2017, she praised her husband for his courage and strength in dealing with his condition.  

'To see John do what he has done, I could never have done it. I really, really doubt I could ever have gone through what he did,' she told the Sydney Morning Herald at the time. 

Sweethearts: The couple tied the knot at the Sydney Opera House in 1984 and were married for an incredible 35 years. Pictured in 2013 before the fall 

'He has the most extraordinary strength of character,' she added. 'That's the person I met, that I fell in love with and that I have been with for 33 years.'

She added that becoming his carer gave her a mission to tackle some long-overdue changes in the fields of paraplegic and quadriplegic care.

'I'm not a real activist but I have a list of things to do. And it's getting long,' she said. 

The couple tied the knot at the Sydney Opera House in 1984 and were married for an incredible 35 years.

Kerri-Anne recently opened up about them suffering a miscarriage 30 years ago, an experience that was 'deeply painful'.   

Been through a lot: Kerri-Anne recently opened up about them suffering a miscarriage 30 years ago, an experience that was 'deeply painful'

'(The miscarriage) was deeply painful at the time, but I only delve into and consider things that are possible,' she told Stellar last summer.  

The TV maven added: 'It's ridiculous to consider what-ifs. I'd be a basket case if I did that.'

In her autobiography A Bold Life,  she revealed she believed she was carrying a son when she suffered that miscarriage, in 1988.  

'It's a terrible experience to have your baby die inside of you,' she wrote.

The TV host revealed that John also went through the loss with her and that the experience deeply affected them both. 

'What John and I went through is deeply personal,' she wrote in her book.