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You’re the Voice singer John Farnham diagnosed with cancer: ‘Countless others have walked this path before me’-Sabrina Barr-Entertainment – Metro
The musician is receiving treatment in hospital.
The artist released a statement with his wife and sons (Picture: Getty)
Singer John Farnham has been diagnosed with cancer, a statement released by his family has confirmed.
The Australian musician, 73, whose iconic track You’re the Voice topped the charts in the 1980s, recently discovered that he has a ‘cancerous growth’.
In the message announcing his diagnosis, which was shared by himself, his wife Jillian Billman and their two sons, Robert and James, on Tuesday August 23, it said that ‘he has been admitted to hospital this morning for surgery and ongoing treatment’.
In a direct statement from Farnham, he said: ‘Cancer diagnosis is something that so many people face every single day, and countless others have walked this path before me.
‘The one thing I know for sure is that we have the very best specialist healthcare professionals in Victoria, and we can all be grateful for that. I know I am.’
His family concluded their message, which was obtained by ABC in Australia, by asking that the media respect their privacy.
Farnham performing at the 30th Annual ARIA Awards in 2016 (Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
One of Farnham’s best-known songs throughout his career, which has spanned almost 60 years, which You’re the Voice, which peaked at number one on the Australian charts in 1986.
The album that the song was on, Whispering Jack, also soared to the top of the charts for over five months, becoming the second top-selling album in Australian history.
Over the years, he’s received an array of accolades for his talent, including being inducted into the ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association) Hall of Fame in 2003.
Farnham has received 21 ARIA Awards in total, as well as receiving prizes at the Countdown awards and the King of Pop awards.
The music legend pictured in 1987 (Picture: Rex Features/Shutterstock)
Earlier this month, Farnham expressed his sadness over the death of Olivia Newton-John, who died aged 73 after first being diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992.
A tribute written in honour of the late Grease star and released on Farnham’s Facebook page read: ‘The Farnham family send love and sympathies to Olivia’s family.
‘Behind that iconic smile was a tenacious fighter. A beautiful voice and a loyal friend. She will be sorely missed.’
Farnham and Newton-John performed together at the Fire Fight Australia bushfire relief concert in 2020 (Picture: EPA/John Carrett Australia and New Zealand Out)
Farnham and Newton-John performed several times together over the years, including at The Main Event Tour in 1998.
The album Highlights from The Main Event went on to be named highest selling album at the ARIA Awards the following year, peaking at number one on the charts.
Farnham also joined Newton-John for her tour Two Strong Hearts Live in 2015, where they performed songs including tracks from Grease.
The singer married his wife, Barnham, in 1973, having met her while she was a dancer and he was performing in the stage musical Charlie Girl in 1971.
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