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John Farnham moves out of ICU and recovering after having cancerous tumour removed

John Farnham’s family has updated fans on his condition after he underwent a marathon surgery to remove a cancerous tumour.

John Farnham's family provides health update

John Farnham’s family has updated fans on his condition, saying the beloved singer is “progressing well” in his recovery from lifesaving cancer surgery last month.

“His medical team are very pleased with his progress over the past month,’ a statement from his wife Jill and sons Rob and James said.

“He was moved from ICU and into a general ward a couple of weeks ago. That, in itself, was terrific progress.

“This week John has been transferred into a rehabilitation facility. Each of these steps means things are moving in the right direction and for that we are enormously thankful.

“Our family are so very grateful to all the remarkable teams of Victorian medical professionals who have taken such good care of John.

“These outcomes are a credit to your dedication, skills and compassion.”

Farnham underwent 12 hours of surgery on August 23 to remove a tumour in his mouth, which involved reconstructing part of his jaw.

The Farnhams: Rob, Jill, James and John. Picture: Supplied
The Farnhams: Rob, Jill, James and John. Picture: Supplied

The beloved singer shared his diagnosis with fans before his surgery, seeking medical help after his wife Jill insisted he get the lump in his mouth checked out.

Cancer diagnosis is something that so many people face every single day, and countless others have walked this path before me,” he said in a 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.”

Fans have flooded Farnham and his family with thousands of messages of support and wished him strength as he battles the disease and faces long months of further treatment.

His family set up a special website weloveyoujohn.com.au for fans to be able to send messages as the 73-year-old singer doesn’t have any social media presence.

“Being surrounded by this much love and support has meant the world to us all,” his family said.

Farnham has been lionised as a national musical treasure for decades but particularly after his phenomenal comeback in 1986 with the Whispering Jack album which was launched into the record books with his signature song You’re The Voice.

That album remains the second highest selling record in Australian history in the pre-streaming era with 1.68 million copies, just behind Meat Loaf’s Bat Out Of Hell.

Originally published as John Farnham moves out of ICU and recovering after having cancerous tumour removed

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/entertainment/music/john-farnham-moves-out-of-icu-and-recovering-after-having-cancerous-tumour-removed/news-story/f2077a21d83f38a8c0eb830d9ec2b183