Australian actor Matt Passmore has paid a touching tribute to his former girlfriend, McLeod’s Daughters star Rachael Carpani, after her shock death at 45.

Taking to his social media on Tuesday, Matt, 51, shared a photo of Rachael and added a brief caption.

‘Farewell, my friend. All the love I have to the Carpanis, friends and family. The greatest gift you gave was knowing you,’ he said.

Rachael and Matt enjoyed a long romance after first meeting on the set of McLeod’s Daughters in 2006. They split in 2011.

Matt also included a message from Rachael’s family in his Instagram post, who announced on Monday that the star had died on December 7.

‘It is with great sadness that Tony and Gael Carpani announce that their beautiful daughter, beloved Australian actress Rachael Carpani, unexpectedly but peacefully passed away after a long battle with chronic illness…’ her parents said.

Australian actor Matt Passmore has paid a touching tribute to his former girlfriend, McLeod’s Daughters star Rachael Carpani, after her shock death at 45. (Pictured at  2007 Logie Awards)

Rachael is best known for her role as Jodi Fountain in the hit series McLeod’s Daughters, in which she appeared from 2001 to 2009

‘The family requests privacy at this very difficult time and will be making no further statements.’

US based Australian actress Poppy Montgomery messaged Matt her condolences on his post.

‘What a huge loss … Such a bright, beautiful talent and person! Sending love and prayers,’ the Without a Trace star said.

Another friend messaged: ‘Too young!! Sorry, Matt’, while a third person said, ‘RIP, beautiful woman.’

Rachael is best known for her role as Jodi Fountain in the hit series McLeod’s Daughters, in which she appeared from 2001 to 2009.

In 2007, she was nominated for the Silver Logie for most popular actress and the biggest award, the Gold Logie.

She later left Australia in 2011 to pursue an acting career with her then-boyfriend Matt, but the pair broke up later that year.

She appeared in several films, including titles such as The Very Excellent Mr Dundee, Hating Alison Ashley and The Way Back.

Matt also included a message from Rachael’s family in his Instagram post, who announced on Monday that the star had died on December 7

Rachael (right) on the set of McLeod’s Daughters

Her latest project was last year, playing a recurring role in Aussie soap opera Home and Away as the villainous Claudia Salini.

Rachael had her fans concerned in 2021 after acute abdominal pain saw her rushed to hospital, where she said she ‘spent a few days in the ICU’.

‘Was then moved to the surgical ward,’ she said.

‘Basically it was a case of me not listening to my body and the pain (I tend to work through pain!) and allowing myself to get quite ill.’

‘Yet again, another lesson, especially to women who tend to ignore their own care because “there’s no time” or more important things or people to look after, to stop and listen to what your body is trying to tell you.’

Rachael also revealed she had spent Valentine’s Day in hospital, sharing a photo of herself sitting in her hospital bed and holding a bouquet.