Nine entertainment editor Richard Wilkins, a great friend of late Australian star Olivia Newton-John, has revealed the universal love people had for the singer, who died aged 73 overnight.

After breaking down in tears live on the Today show remembering his dear friend (see video below), Wilkins joined Gareth Parker on 6PR Breakfast and shared an amazing story of how he ended up backstage with her at a Coldplay concert in the US.

LISTEN 👇 to Wilkins relay how other stars were besotted with Olivia

Before the chat with Wilkins, listener and former school mate Rod relayed a remarkable tale about the time Newton-John’s public confession of a high school crush soon led to a media frenzy outside the man’s house, years after he last saw the Aussie entertainer.

LISTEN 👇 to Rod tell the story to Parker