John Farnham Is "Trying To Make People Laugh" In Recovery

The sons of John Farnham have revealed that the legendary Australian singer is "trying to make people laugh" as he continues to recover from recent mouth cancer surgery. 

Speaking to A Current Affair about their father's ongoing recovery,  Robert and James Farnham gave insight into their father's mindset with Robert sharing that his famous father has been trying to make the doctors and nurses treating him laugh. "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.”

The brothers also used the exclusive interview with Seb Costello to thank the Australian public for the messages of support that the family have received with James reflecting that "It was kind of comforting to know that Australia was behind him too and I know that he appreciated that. I remember when we first told him, he got teary. He never expects everyone to still love him. It was nice for him to hear that, thanks, everyone."

The two junior Farnhams have spent most waking hours by John's bedside, with their mother, John's wife of 49 years,  Jillian Billman joining them. Robert paid tribute to his mother for the strength that she has shown, reflecting that "she is an amazing woman, and has been strong through this whole thing and held us together at times.”

James also revelaed that a return to singing is far from his fathers mind at this moment, with Robert commenting that "it’s definitely not on his mind – he just wants to get better", and James offering that "it’s a long road to recovery still … there’s a long way to go."


The family recently shared that John "thoroughly enjoyed" Robbie Williams' take on You're The Voice at the AFL Grand Final. 

Farnham watched the pre-game spectacle from his hospital bed, with a brief statement provided by Jill, Rob and James revealing that he was a fan of Williams' take on his iconic hit. 

“What a tremendous delight it was to see Robbie Williams dedicate his performance of You’re The Voice to John. John was watching from the hospital and was deeply touched by that very generous gesture. He thoroughly enjoyed Robbie’s performance too.”

The Farnham family had previously provided an update on his health, revealing that the beloved singer has now been discharged from the hospital and moved to a rehabilitation facility to continue his treatment. The Australian music world was shocked in August when the Whispering Jack star revealed that he was undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous tumour in his mouth.

The legendary singer-songwriter has been in the limelight since he was a teen, breaking onto the scene in the late 1960s.