Australian music legend John Farnham is singing around the house and has thanked fans for their support in his first public comments since having surgery for mouth cancer a year ago.

Farnham, who was declared cancer-free in July, said in a statement on Wednesday he was “the luckiest man I know right now”. Close family friend Gaynor Wheatley also said on Melbourne radio that Farnham was now singing at home, after his family feared at times over the past year he could have died.

“It’s been a year since my first surgery and to be honest I’ve lost count as to how many other procedures there’s been since then,” Farnham, now aged 74, said.

“I’m sure someone’s kept track of them all – let’s just say, there’s been a few. But, I’m home now and I’m a very grateful and happy man. I’m sitting here in my living room lapping up the attention from my beautiful wife, Jill, my boys Rob and James and my mini Schnauzer, Edmund.

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“It’s only now that I can start to appreciate and comprehend, for myself, how many messages of love and support have been sent to me over the past year. I don’t know what to say, other than thank you so very much. It honestly means the world to me. Thank you to everyone who took the time to write and send a message.

“Today is a special day. And I’m going to mark it by having a pizza – because I can! I can’t wait to see what might be next on the menu. Bring on 2024.”

Farnham underwent a marathon-length surgery on August 23 last year which removed part of his jaw to cut out a cancerous tumour from his mouth.

His 12-hour surgery in Melbourne also meant he spent a stint in intensive care.