Jimmy Barnes will be home for Christmas after surgery scare

Jimmy Barnes’ wife has revealed an unexpected development after the rock legend’s open heart operation.

Aussie rock icon Jimmy Barnes will be home in time for Christmas following heart surgery.

Wife Jane Barnes announced the Christmas surprise on Twitter, where she has been chronicling the 67-year-old’s recovery.

“On the sixth day of Christmas my true love said to me … ‘the doctor says I can go home on Friday’,” she wrote.

“Jimmy will be home for Christmas, that’s the best present I could wish for.”

Barnes had been recovering in intensive care after major surgery as the result of a bacterial infection.

His rapid recovery quickly progressed from walking on the weekend, with the promise of a return home just in time to celebrate Christmas.

Jimmy Barnes will be home in time for Christmas. Picture: Supplied

Jane has been sharing regular updates with fans on Jimmy’s social media channels – including a new photo of her rocker husband following his heart surgery last week to replace an infected heart valve.

“Day 5 post cardiac and off with the dressing. Jimmy is trying to cheer me up and laughing at his own joke,” she wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Things are getting back to normal.”

Jane Barnes has posted a photo of Jimmy Barnes recovering in hospital after having open heart surgery. Picture: Twitter

Previously, a day after the surgery, Jane had written, “Here to update you about our Jimmy. Good progress today in ICU. Some massive tubes have come out and first physio visit. Clearing lungs and deep breathing, we know he’s good at that!”

Jane also thanked well wishers on behalf of her family.

“Every single one counts so please keep them coming,” she said.

Earlier she shared two photos of Barnes, 67, before he went into surgery.

One featured the musician doing the cute Barnes family wave from his hospital bed and another was of the adored couple smiling cheek to cheek.

Rocker Jimmy Barnes and his wife before surgery. Picture: Instagram

“Sharing a couple of pics from earlier this morning … I’m happy to let you know that our Jimmy has made it through his surgery and is now recovering in the ICU,” she wrote.

“We are so grateful for the incredible medical team looking after him. Thank you for all of the love and support. I will keep you all posted.”

Hi it’s @jane13barnes here. Sharing a couple pics from earlier this morning… I’m happy to let you know that our Jimmy has made it through his surgery and is now recovering in the ICU. We’re so grateful for the incredible medical team looking after him. Thank you all 🙏♥️ pic.twitter.com/TCyBsBRa4d

— Jimmy Barnes (@JimmyBarnes) December 13, 2023

Barnes had been hit with a serious health setback with the bacterial infection he has been battling for two weeks spreading to a heart valve.

He shared on Wednesday that he will undergo open heart surgery to replace the infected valve.

“Unfortunately I got some bad news late yesterday … despite everyone’s best efforts the bacterial infection I’ve been battling over the last fortnight has apparently now spread to my heart,” Barnes said.

“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 will undergo open heart surgery to replace an infected valve. Picture: Jesse Lizotte

Barnes is likely to be off the road for at least the next four months.

He was booked to perform at the annual Summernats festival in Canberra in January and headline another leg of Red Hot Summer tour through to mid February.

His show for the Great Southern Nights program at the Enmore Theatre on March 9, which was only announced on Tuesday, may also be cancelled.

The 67-year-old rocker last performance for 2023 was his blistering opening of the Mushroom 50 Live concert on November 26.

Barnes said he was frustrated by his latest health challenge as he and wife Jane have been on a rigorous health campaign after his hip and back surgery last December, adding swimming to their daily exercise routine.

Australian rock icon Jimmy Barnes in hospital following back surgery last December. Picture: Instagram

“Obviously this is going to take me out of action for a while. I know lots of other people are battling even worse things but it still feels hugely frustrating,” he said.

“Just a few weeks ago I was the fittest I’ve been in decades! Anyway, as you can hopefully appreciate, this has all happened very suddenly so it’s going to take a few days for everyone to figure out what’s going to be doable with my 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.”

Barnes has been sharing updates from his hospital bed with fans, posting photos of the home-cooked meals his wife Jane and family have been bringing him during his illness.

“I’d like to thank my darling Jane for her around the clock love and care over the last few weeks in particular – as always I’d be lost without her,” he said.

“I’d also like to thank the Doctors and Nurses who’ve been amazing and all the people who have sent me ‘get well’ messages. You’ve all lifted my spirits and I’m sincerely grateful.

“Given the serious nature of this 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! Love from Jimmy.”

Barnes and his family were flooded with love and well wishes from fans after he shared the news of his heart surgery on Wednesday morning.

Within a few hours, his post had 40,000 reactions on Facebook, another 14,500 likes on Instagram and had 97,000 views on X.

Among those sending their support online were his musician friends Troy Cassar-Daley, Kate Ceberano, Russell Morris, comedians Julia Morris and Adam Hills and artist Ben Quilty, a Southern Highlands neighbour of the Barnes family.

Originally published as Jimmy Barnes will be home for Christmas after surgery scare