In his first personal statement since undergoing major mouth cancer surgery in August 2022, John Farnham has confirmed he is completely cancer free.
“It’s been a year since my first surgery and to be honest I’ve lost count as to how many other procedures there’s been since then,” John said via the statement that was released on August 23, 2023.
“I’m sure someone’s kept track of them all – let’s just say, there’s been a few. But, I’m home now and I’m a very grateful and happy man. I’m sitting here in my living room lapping up the attention from my beautiful wife, Jill, my boys Rob and James and my mini Schnauzer, Edmund,” he continued before thanking his fans for their ongoing support.
“It’s only now that I can start to appreciate and comprehend, for myself, how many messages of love and support have been sent to me over the past year. I don’t know what to say, other than thank you so very much. It honestly means the world to me. Thank you to everyone who took the time to write and send a message.”
John, now aged 74, then shared how he’s going to celebrate the one year anniversary of his surgery.
“Today is a special day. And I’m going to mark it by having a pizza – because I can! I can’t wait to see what might be next on the menu. Bring on 2024.”
The statement also clarified that “last month” (presumably July 2023), John had been given a formal confirmation from his medical team that he is “all clear” of cancer.
It was first reported that John was cancer free in May 2023 when the documentary John Farnham: Finding The Voice was first released in cinemas.
In the film, John’s son Robert Farnham mentioned his father was free of cancer and had a “super positive” attitude in regards to his recovery.
John’s cancer operation in August 2022 was a 12 hour long marathon surgery, with 26 surgeons stepping in to assist in the efforts to remove a cancerous growth from the musician’s mouth and part of his jaw.
Prior to his surgery, John’s wife Jill and two sons Robert and James released a statement on his behalf.
“Cancer diagnosis is something that so many people face every single day, and countless others have walked this path before me,” the family explained in the statement.
“The one thing I know for sure is that we have the very best specialist healthcare professionals in Victoria, and we can all be grateful for that. I know I am.”
Following the intense mouth surgery, John sadly hit some bumps in the road to recovery.
In March 2023, the singer returned to hospital to be treated for a respiratory infection.
But thankfully in May 2023, the singer’s family announced he had made a “full recovery” from the infection.
“We’re pleased to say that John made a full recovery from a recent chest infection in late March which required hospitalisation,” they said.
“He is now comfortable and continues to receive ongoing treatment and rehabilitation care.
“The family would like to reiterate their appreciation and deepest respect for all the medical staff that have attended to John over the past eight months and the many thousands of kind messages that [have] been received from across Australia and the world.”
John’s sons have been incredibly open about their dad’s cancer battle throughout.
In October 2022, they spoke with A Current Affair and told former host Tracy Grimshaw that they hoped the worst of their father’s health scare was behind them.
”He’s almost back to his normal self, just dropping jokes all the time. He’s a performer at heart and he’s always trying to make people laugh,” Robert said.
Whilst it is unlikely that John will ever perform again, the only thing that matters to his family is his health.
The legendary singer is one of Australia’s most successful performers, known best for his 1986 single You’re the Voice.
After joining the Australian music scene as a teen in the late 1960’s as ‘Johnny Farnham,’ the singer has gone on to receive 19 ARIA awards.
John was also named Australian of the Year in 1987 and an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1996.
