Jimmy Barnes undergoing emergency heart surgery as infection ‘spreads to his heart’

Aussie rocker Jimmy Barnes’s wife has given an update after he was rushed into surgery for an infection that has spread to his heart.

Aussie rocker Jimmy Barnes’s wife has given an update on his condition after he was rushed into surgery for an infection that has spread to his heart.

Barnes earlier today shared a worrying health update, revealing he would undergo open heart surgery in the coming hours.

On Instagram on Wednesday afternoon, his wife Jane Barnes wrote: “I’m happy to let you know that our Jimmy has made it through his surgery and is now recovering in the ICU. We are so grateful for the incredible medical team looking after him. Thank you for all the love and support. I will keep you all posted.”

She shared two photographs of the Cold Chisel frontman from Wednesday morning, including one of him smiling and waving.

Barnes’ son David Campbell responded to the news, writing: “This is the best news. Love you guys.”

Friends of the star also shared their happiness, with presenter Richard Wilkins replying: “Thinking of you Pal … Much love to you and your’s from me and mine!Anything Anytime!”

This morning’s update comes as Barnes recently cancelled his remaining gigs for the year as he dealt with a bout of ill health.

“Unfortunately I got some bad news late yesterday,” Barnes began. “Despite everyone’s best efforts the bacterial infection I’ve been battling over the past fortnight has apparently now spread to my heart. It’s infected an otherwise healthy valve that was replaced some years ago due to a congenital defect, so I’ll be getting open heart surgery over the next few hours to clear out this infection and put in a clean valve.”

Barnes recently cancelled his remaining shows for the year due to his ongoing ill health. Picture: SoCo Studios

Barnes, 67, said that the operation would “obviously take me out of action for a little while,” which he said was “hugely frustrating” as “just a few weeks ago I was the fittest I’ve been in decades!”

Barnes wrote that this latest deterioration in his health had happened “very suddenly,” so it would take some time to figure out what will happen with his upcoming shows.

“I’m really sorry for all the inconvenience this will cause but please be patient while my team works hard to figure things out. A new plan will be announced as soon as possible.”

The tour section of Barnes’ website shows that he is currently booked in for at least 10 concerts through the remainder of the summer months, the first being a performance at the Summernats in Canberra on January 5.

Barnes also thanked his wife Jane for her “around the clock love and care over the last few weeks,” and the doctors and nurses who have been taking care of him.

He ended by warning fans this may be the last direct update they hear from him for a while.

“Given the serious nature of the operation I probably won’t be posting again for the next few weeks so all the best to you and yours for the holidays. Here’s hoping 2024 is full of much better things,” he wrote.

Barnes in hospital earlier this week.

Barnes thanked his wife Jane for her love and support.

Earlier this month, Barnes was forced to cancel his headlining slot at a Victorian music festival, telling fans he faced an extended stay in hospital as he battled a serious bout of bacterial pneumonia.

“I know a lot of people travel a long way for this gig so I’m really sorry that I won’t be able to see you in Torquay,” Barnes said in a statement.

“This infection has knocked me for six so there’s no chance that the doctors will let me out of bed for the next few days.”

That announcement came days after he announced he was unable to travel to New Caledonia for a cruise concert.

“I’m sorry to let you know that I’ve been receiving intravenous antibiotics over the last 36 hours to treat bacterial pneumonia,” he shared in a post.

Barnes has had a rough trot health wise - in late 2022 he had hip surgery and was forced into months of bed rest.

Barnes’ latest health scare comes after he was forced undertake months of bed rest earlier this year following emergency hip surgery.

He had an operation in late 2022 after years of pain caused by half a century of “jumping off PAs and stomping around stages”.

Speaking at the time he said: “I’ve had niggling back and hip issues for years, but things suddenly got a lot worse over the last few weeks, and I’m now in constant and severe pain.

“As everybody knows, it’s against my religion to blow out gigs, but the doctors tell me I need an operation as soon as possible and it will really limit my movement for a few months.

“As much as it kills me to inconvenience everyone, I have to get this fixed so I can jump around onstage for another 50 years.”