John Farnham’s close friend reveals the singing icon’s recovery is ‘going well’

A close friend of legendary musician John Farnham has revealed that the entertainment icon’s recovery is “going well” as he continues his recuperation following surgery and treatment for cancer.

In a recent interview with The Daily Telegraph, Farnham’s co-manager and close friend, David Wilson offered an update regarding Farnham’s recovery.

“It is a process, it is slow and steady as she goes. He is going well,” Wilson said.

He also spoke of how Farnham took centre stage during last year’s family Christmas celebrations.

“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.”

On August 23, 2022,  Farnham was admitted to hospital in Victoria for “surgery and ongoing treatment” after doctors discovered “a cancerous growth”.

At the time, Farnham delivered a statement where he expressed his gratitude for having “the best specialist healthcare professionals in Victoria”.

“Cancer diagnosis is something that so many people face every single day, and countless others have walked this path before me,” he said.

Following a “successful” surgery that took a marathon 12 hours, it was announced that Farnham was in a stable condition and on the road to recovery.

Farnham’s wife, Jill, provided an update at the time where she revealed her husband was in “a stable condition in ICU”.

“The cancer tumour was located in his mouth and it has been successfully removed. There is still a long road of recovery and healing ahead of us, but we know John is up for that task,” she said at the time.

Latest re John Farnham cancer surgery #johnfarnham pic.twitter.com/Y2IkmQ8fUv

— David H H Wilson (@DavidHHWilson) August 23, 2022

In a recent interview with New Idea, Robert Farnham spoke about his upcoming wedding and that despite recent health battles, his father will “definitely be” at the ceremony.

“It’s all good things. It’s a long road ahead for Dad, but he’s in good spirits,” he told the publication.

“The doctors are really happy with his progress, so there are no dark clouds hanging over us.

“He just finished radiotherapy and he’s busy cracking jokes, making everybody laugh. He’ll definitely be at our wedding, for sure. He ain’t going nowhere!”

Farnham is widely considered one of Australia’s most popular performers and is known for his highly successful 1986 album Whispering Jack which became the biggest-selling Australian album of all time by a local artist and held the top spot on the charts for 25 weeks. In the same year his solo single You’re the Voice also reached the number one spot.

Farnham’s talent and musical success have seen him recognised with 19 ARIA awards, and an induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2003. He also spent five years in a row as the King of Pop as voted by TV Week readers.