A close friend of Australian music legend John Farnham has confirmed he is “going well” almost six months after his mammoth 12-hour cancer surgery.
Farnham’s co-manager and close friend, David Wilson, told The Daily Telegraph that Farnham was recovering well following the operation, which saw part of his jaw removed followed by additional reconstructive surgery.
Farnham was diagnosed with mouth cancer in mid-2022, and underwent surgery on August 23rd.
Wilson told the Telegraph Farnham’s recovery is “a process, it is slow and steady as she goes,” adding, “he is going well”.
Farnham has been recovering quietly at home since the operation, and celebrated a traditional Christmas with family and friends.
“The Christmas tradition of after Christmas lunch sitting outside while John hosts music trivia questions continued,” Wilson said.
“He was MC with the family all gathered around and we laughed like drains as we were all tested on our musical knowledge.”
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The family have provided regular updates on the much-loved singer’s progress, acknowledging the incredible work of the medical team taking care of him.
“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,” they said in a statement released in September.
Gaynor Wheatley echoed the sentiments when she appeared on the Today Show.
“The surgeons are the real rock stars; at one point, there were 26 surgeons working on him,” she said.
Farnham’s sons, Robert and James, appeared on A Current Affair to report on his condition while the singer was in rehabilitation, where he was in good spirits.
“It’s new people, a new audience,” Robert said. “He’s a performer at heart and he’s always trying to make people laugh, make light of a bad situation, which is just who he is.”
