Viewers slam Channel Seven for airing unauthorized Olivia Newton-John miniseries

Channel Seven has been slammed for airing the 2018 miniseries Hopelessly Devoted to You, following the death of Olivia Newton-John at age 73.

The 2018 unauthorized biopic starring Delta Goodrem as a young Olivia didn’t go down well with grieving viewers on Tuesday night, and they were quick to vent on social media.

‘We should be honoring Olivia, not have this horrible wood duck imitation on,’ one disgruntled fan tweeted.

‘Why am I watching Delta Goodrem play Olivia Newton-John on TV and not… I don’t know, Olivia Newton-John?’ wrote another, alongside a crying face emoji.

‘Australia doesn’t want to see Delta Goodrem as Olivia, you insensitive idiots,’ quipped a third, before adding: ‘We want to see the original music featuring Olivia.’

‘In the haste to put something on tonight Olivia Newton John related, Channel Seven miss the mark with the Olivia biopic starring Delta Goodrem,’ wrote another.

‘I’d rather watch something ACTUALLY starring Olivia, not someone pretending to be her!’ they added.

It comes after Delta paid tribute to her beloved ‘mentor and friend’ following the Grease star’s death after a lengthy cancer battle.

‘The whole world will feel this heartbreak today because the entire world felt Olivia’s unmatched light,’ Delta wrote on Instagram.

‘A force for good. A force of nature. Strong and kind. my mentor, my friend, my inspiration, someone who always guided me… she was always there for me. Family to me.’

‘I don’t have all the words I would like to say today but I hope everyone will join in celebrating our beloved Olivia, her heart, soul, talent, courage, grace… I love you forever,’ Delta said.

Olivia’s husband John Easterling announced the tragic news that she had died at age 73.

‘Dame Olivia Newton-John passed away peacefully at her ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by family and friends,’ he said in a statement.

‘We ask that everyone please respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.

‘Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer.

‘Her healing inspiration and pioneering experience with plant medicine continues with the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, dedicated to researching plant medicine and cancer.’