NewsBite

John Farnham health update: Star ‘cancer free’

John Farnham’s family has given an emotional update about the star’s health condition, stating he is “doing fantastic” and is “cancer free”.

John Farnham's son on music legend's health

Nobody really thought John Farnham was worth a second chance, but then key players heard his powerful vocals on The Voice and everything changed. 

Farnham had spent the 1970 as a teen idol – even becoming King of Pop – before his career waned.

Despite his previous success, several radio stations knocked back playing music from Farnham’s new album ‘Whispering Jack’ from being played on the airwaves.

That changed when bandmate Glenn Wheatley called 2Day FM insisting that they listen to ‘The Voice’.

John Farnham Finding the Voice will air on Channel 7 on Monday. Picture: Supplied
John Farnham Finding the Voice will air on Channel 7 on Monday. Picture: Supplied
Farnham is apparently doing well after his private cancer battle. Picture: Supplied.
Farnham is apparently doing well after his private cancer battle. Picture: Supplied.

“I heard this intro and I thought, ‘Oh, that’s unusual’ and it kept building and building and the instruments came in and then John came in, it was exquisite,” Cherie Romano said on the documentary ‘John Farnham: Finding The Voice”.

“I didn’t wait til the end of the song [I went] into the on-air studio.

“I said ‘It’s John Farnham’ and I said, ‘Play it’,”

John Farnham in concert in Germany at the height of The Voice. Supplied/Seven
John Farnham in concert in Germany at the height of The Voice. Supplied/Seven

The airing of the documentary comes as Farnham’s son shared an emotional update about his father’s recovery after cancer surgery.

Speaking to Sunrise on Monday morning, John’s son Robert Farnham said his father was “doing fantastic” after a 12-hour surgery for throat cancer.

“Just the other day, he was walking around with his with his cane and did a little bit of a dance, which was pretty fabulous,” Robert said.

“He’s walking with his dog a lot, so he’s really, really happy.”

John Farnham speaking about his career. Supplied/Seven
John Farnham speaking about his career. Supplied/Seven

It comes as an Australian-made documentary on his life, Finding the Voice, is set to air on Channel 7 on Monday.

The beloved star had even started singing again, Robert said. “He’s doing really good, he’s super positive,” he told Sunrise.

Mr Farnham has endured a very private battle against cancer, with the 73-year-old hospitalised earlier this year after he developed a chest infection following surgery to remove a cancerous tumour in his mouth.

Robert also revealed his dad is yet to view the biopic, adding he doesn’t even read reviews about himself.

“He’s not one to watch himself on TV or even read reviews – he‘s just it’s just not like that. But we’ll make him watch it,” he said.

“He’s doing really good, he’s super positive.

“Cancer is a terrible, terrible thing, and it’s his time to walk that road but he’s cancer free and he’s doing really, really good.”

A baby Robert with father John Farnham. Picture: Supplied/Instagram
A baby Robert with father John Farnham. Picture: Supplied/Instagram

Originally published as John Farnham health update: Star ‘cancer free’

Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/entertainment/music/john-farnhams-son-shares-emotional-update-on-dads-recovery-after-cancer-operation/news-story/c9c8937581ffe706f25a39ca9bf8a5b7