Aussie music legend John Farnham has been spotted for the first time in months as he gathered with his family to celebrate Christmas.
The 76-year-old icon’s sons Rob and James took to social media to share a rare snap of their family gathering around to enjoy the festive season.
“Merry Christmas from the Farnhams,” the photo was simply captioned by James.
Rob’s post, featuring a similar photo, highlights the celebrations took place on Boxing Day.
Dressed in a blue checkered shirt with a sleeveless vest over the top and reading glasses casually placed over the collar, the You’re The Voice rocker appeared to be in good spirits sitting at the end of the dining table smiling.
One shot shows him beside his loyal and loving wife Jill and another of him taking the head of the table while family and friends — including his first grandchild — posed behind him.
It’s the first time in months that fans have been able to catch a glimpse of the star since his lengthy recovery from oral cancer, with many taking the time to send their well wishes on social media.
“We are with you John. You are cared about, as well as your dear wife, more than you will ever know, by so many who you will never know,” one fan wrote.
“John . you will always be ‘our whispering Jack,’” another commented.
And another fan said being able to see John celebrate Christmas with his family was “a gift to all Australians.”
Farnham was diagnosed with oral cancer after discovering a malignant tumour in his mouth, which presented as a mouth ulcer, back in 2022.
It led to extensive 12-hour surgery that saw parts of his mouth and jaw removed.
Eight weeks of radiation followed and while he was declared cancer free 12 months later, his ability to speak, sing and move his jaw were impacted.
“My facial disfigurement from the surgery means I can’t open my mouth wide enough for a strip of spaghetti, let alone to sing,” the crooner shared in his memoir, The Voice Inside.
“I can’t get the movement to make the sounds I want to make, that’s where the vibrations and my voice come from. It’s a very disconcerting thing. And trying hurts.”
After a painful few years, this Christmas is no doubt a special one for the Farnham family. It’s the singer’s first Christmas for John as a grandfather.
Son James and partner Dr Tessa Effendi welcomed the first baby in the family — a boy named Jett — in June this year.
Farnham described the moment of being a granddad as a “huge lift” in his life as he continues to work on his recovery with this support of his family — and the little fella running around at his feet in years to come.
“I am feeling very grateful to still be here and to have my family and friends around me. I am going to embrace this next chapter of my life,” he wrote in his memoir.
“I think it is fair to say the only singing I’ll be doing is lullabies – and the only performing will be for a special audience of one; my first grandchild.
“But you know me … never say never.”
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