Legendary Australian singer John Farnham has revealed he has been diagnosed with cancer and underwent surgery in a Melbourne hospital.
The 73-year-old performer's family released a statement confirming the cancer diagnosis and ongoing treatment.
"Cancer diagnosis is something that so many people face every single day, and countless others have walked this path before me," the singer said.
"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."
Another statement from Farnham's family on Tuesday night said the surgery was "successfully completed at 7.30pm" after 11-and-a-half hours on the operating table.
"He has now been transferred to ICU and is in a stable condition," the statement read.
Farnham is one of Australia's most successful performers, with his 1986 album Whispering Jack selling more than 1.6 million copies.
He was named Australian of the Year in 1987, and has won 19 ARIA awards over his five-decade career.
Farnham's long-time manager and friend Glenn Wheatley died earlier this year from complications related to COVID-19.
Farnham was also close friends with singer Olivia Newton-John, who died earlier this month from cancer in California.
Farnham and Newton-John performed together at a bushfire relief fundraising concert in 2020, and had a number one album together in 2015.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said his thoughts were with Farnham and his family.
"I think everybody loves John Farnham, he's such a big part of our story, such a wonderful person and we wish him and his family well at what is surely a very difficult time," he said.
"I'm sure he's getting first class care and our thoughts and prayers are with him and we wish him all the best."
