John Farnham’s sons reveal the telltale sign their legendary rockstar father missed before he was diagnosed with life-threatening cancer – as they open up about his marathon surgery and the subtle signal he made to them in hospital that put them at ease
- John Farnham’s sons revealed telltale sign that led to father’s cancer diagnosis
- Much-loved Australian musician underwent 12-hour cancer operation in August
- Up to 26 surgeons removed cancerous growth from Farnham’s mouth and jaw
- His sons, Robert and James, credited mother Jill for her strength during ordeal
The sons of music legend John Farnham have revealed how their father mistook a cancerous lump for a painful mouth ulcer and the subtle sign he made in hospital to put his worried family at ease.
The 73-year-old is still recovering from a 12-hour operation that required 26 surgeons to remove a cancerous growth from his mouth and part of his jaw in August.
His sons, Robert and James, told A Current Affair their father was committed to making a full recovery and revealed how he assured them he was going to be OK.
‘When we first went in and saw him, he couldn’t actually talk but we’re like “Dad, you’re gonna push through. You’re gonna fight”,’ Robert said.
‘He kept sticking his fist in the air, going ‘yeah’.’
His sons, Robert and James, (pictured) said their father was committed to making a full recovery and revealed the subtle sign he used to put them at ease
Farnham (pictured in 2020) is still recovering from a 12-hour operation that required 26 surgeons to remove a cancerous growth from his mouth and part of his jaw in August
Younger brother James revealed for the first time how his father had received his shock mouth cancer diagnosis.
‘He was having trouble sleeping, he likes to sleep on his side, and he had a lump in his cheek which Mum noticed too and made him go to the dentist,’ he said.
‘The dentist noticed it too and referred him to someone that knew more about it.’
Robert said his father had initially thought the lump was a mouth ulcer, which was causing him pain when it rubbed against his teeth.
‘It turned out to be cancerous,’ he said. ‘It’s f***ing terrifying’.
The brothers said their father had informed them over the phone of the diagnosis as soon as received the news.
‘It was unexpected,’ James said. ‘It wasn’t something anyones prepared for.’
The musician is being supported by his wife Jill and their two adult sons Robert and James (pictured, the Farnham family pose for a photo in 2018)
The brothers credited their mother Jill, who has been married to Farnham for 49 years, for being the family’s rock during their father’s cancer scare
The brothers credited their mother Jill, who has been married to Farnham for 49 years, for being the family’s rock during their father’s cancer scare.
‘Without Mum, I think things would fall apart very, very fast,’ Robert said.
‘She’s a very strong woman,’ his younger brother James agreed.
He said his father is in recovery following a ‘pretty hairy’ surgery and was feeling a lot ‘chirpier’ and even cracking jokes.
The brothers spoke candidly about what it was like to have a ‘very public’ last name.
‘A lot of people are fans and love him, you sort of live through it publicly which can be quite difficult,’ Robert said.
More to come
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