Australian singer John Farnham is recovering in intensive care after an 11-and-a-half hour surgery to remove a tumour from his mouth, his family says.
Farnham's family announced his cancer diagnosis ahead of his surgery yesterday, but did not elaborate on what kind of cancer he had.
The 73-year-old performer's operation in a Melbourne hospital began at 8am yesterday and was successfully completed at 7:30pm.
His family announced the surgery had been successful last night through a statement from Gaynor Wheatley and David Wilson:
This morning, Farnham's family revealed more details about the singer's condition.
"John has been through an 11-and-a-half-hour surgery in Melbourne yesterday and is now in a stable condition in ICU," his wife Jill Farnham said.
"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 to that task."
Farnham would remain in hospital for recovery and postoperative treatment, the family said, but it remained unclear how long that would be.
Ms Farnham and the pair's sons Rob and James Farnham thanked the hospital staff who were taking care of the singer.
"We are in awe of the incredible teams of healthcare professionals who have guided us through this very challenging time with such compassion," they said.
"All of you undertook this big job today and have given us a magnificent outcome.
"To all the surgeons, doctors, nurses and consultants — thank you one and all so very much."
News of Farnham's cancer diagnosis has prompted an outpouring of well wishes across the country, including from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews.
Farnham's family said they were overwhelmed by the "incredible wave of support".
"This means so much to us as a family. Thank you everyone for this.
"John will be blown away."
Before his surgery, Farnham said a cancer diagnosis was something many people faced each 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," he said.
"I know I am."
It comes three years after Farnham suffered a health scare and was hospitalised with a severe kidney infection.
ABC with AAP
