Australian music legend John Farnham has been diagnosed with cancer, his family have revealed in a shocking statement.
The You’re The Voice singer is undergoing surgery at a Victorian hospital to remove a cancerous growth.
The “shock” diagnosis has prompted an outpouring of well-wishes from around the world.
John Farnham has been diagnosed with cancer. (AP)
“I haven’t spoken to him since his diagnosis, but it was a big surprise for him as well,” friend Lindsay Field told 9News.
“He was here for lunch three weeks ago and he was lovely, there was no suspicion at the time.
“Anyone you love and care for, you have a concern for their well-being.”
Molly Meldrum was among those wishing him the best in his operation and recovery.
“He’s been a friend of mine for a long time and we’ve been through a lot in that time,” he told 9News.
“It is the voice, there are doubts about that and it will always be the voice.
Kiss founding member Paul Stanley also posted on social media in support.
“John… You are the voice!!! We are all sending you our prayers, energy and light for a full recovery,” Stanley tweeted.
Jill, James, Rob and John Farnham in a family photo. (Farnham Family/Supplied)
Today, entertainment journalist Peter Ford told 3AW that details about his specific illness were unclear.
“We don’t know too much about the type of cancer he has. We know there is a tumor involved, but we don’t know where in his body it would be,” he said.
Surgeons are confident they will be able to remove all the dangerous tissue.
“A cancer diagnosis is something that so many people face every day, and many others have walked this path before me,” Farnham said in a statement.
“The only thing I know for sure is that we have the best specialist health professionals in Victoria, and we can all be thankful for that. I know I am.”
The family has asked for privacy during this time.
Farnham has been a mainstay of Australian entertainment since he was billed as teen idol ‘Johnny Farnham’ in the late 1960s.
The 73-year-old’s 1986 album Whispering Jack, featuring the single You’re The Voice, remains the second best-selling album in Australia, behind only Meat Loaf’s Bat Out Of Hell (1977).
He has received 19 ARIA Awards and was named Officer of the Order of Australia in 1996 and Australian of the Year in 1987.