‘Ever the entertainer’: Uplifting update on John Farnham’s condition

John Farnham’s sons say the much-loved singer has been moved to tears by the public’s love for him as they reveal more about his cancer battle.

John Farnham’s sons say the much-loved singer has a “long road” to face in his recovery, saying the star has been moved to tears by the public’s love for him.

Farnham underwent surgery to remove a cancerous growth on his mouth on August 23.

“He’s in recovery now,” said Robert Farnham. “It was pretty hectic, pretty hairy.

“He’s feeling a bit better chirpier and making jokes again, all the sort of stuff, which is fantastic.”

“Now he’s almost back to his normal self, just dropping jokes all the time. The nurse teams come in and it’s new people, a new audience. He’s a performer at heart and he’s always trying to make people laugh, which is just who he is.”

Robert, 41, said John was determined to recover and revealed what he told his father in his hospital bed after his marathon operation.

Rob and James Farnham on A Current Affair. Nine

“Dad, you’re gonna push through. You’re gonna fight,” Robert said he told the star.

John Farnham had a defiant response.

“He kept sticking his fist in the air, going ‘yeah’.”

Robert said he knew then that the legendary entertainer was going to be OK.

“He couldn’t talk at the start, we said that he would fight, and he kept sticking his fist in the air, so I knew that he had it in him, he is definitely still pushing ... he can’t give up.”

“He won’t give up,” younger son and sound engineer James, 34, interjected.

When asked if the Whispering Jack star would ever sing again, Robert said it was too early to say and that his father had a “long road” ahead.

The Farnham family - Rob, Jill, James and John Farnham.

For the first time, the Farnham brothers revealed how their father came to be diagnosed with cancer.

“He was having trouble sleeping,” James said.

“He likes to sleep on his side and he had a lump on his cheek.

“So then mum noticed it too and made him go to the dentist and (he) had it checked. The dentist noticed it and referred him to someone who knew more about it.”

“He just thought it was an ulcer and it turned out to be cancerous. It’s just terrifying,” Robert said.

“As soon as they found out, Dad was straight on the phone. (He) told us exactly what was going on, which was pretty brutal.

“To hear that was just another kick in the guts, but you’ve just got to be there and try and be as supportive for Dad and Mum as you can.

Jill, John’s wife of 49 years, has been the family’s rock, the brothers said.

“She has been strong through this whole thing and held us together at times, she is a very strong woman,” James said.

“Without Mum, things would fall apart very fast.”

James said the love from John’s loyal fan base had boosted his father’s spirits during his cancer battle.

“It was kind of comforting to know that Australia was behind him too. And I know he appreciated that,” he said.

“I remember when we first told him he kind of got all teary, because that what he does, he never expects everyone to still love him but they do. So it was kind of nice for us to hear that and him too.”

 

The brothers thanked the doctors and nurses who have supported them.

“We can’t say enough how much we thank all the nurses and all the doctors,” Robert said. “They did such a good job at putting him at ease and putting us at ease.”

Robbie Williams and Delta Goodrem perform during the 2022 AFL Grand Final. Picture: Getty Images

Robert Farnham revealed that his father “loved” Robbie Williams’ tribute performance of You’re the Voice at the 2022 AFL Grand Final.

“Dad watched it from the hospital bed and he loved it as well. He was pretty chuffed with himself, he thought it was pretty cool. That was a big deal,” he said.

John Farnham in Melbourne in April of 1999 for the launch of his 50th birthday tour, with son Robert in background. Picture: John Feder.

It is expected John will soon return home to his property in Melbourne’s east.

“He wants to get back home to his dog and to mum and be in his own bed,” Robert said.

“The future looks bright and not dreary and we can’t thank people enough for that. The general public it’s just been amazing. We appreciate it, for sure.”

Originally published as ‘Ever the entertainer’: Uplifting update on John Farnham’s condition