Celine Dion has revealed how listening to John Farnham perform has inspired her to continue singing amid her struggle with stiff person syndrome.
The singer, 56, told Channel Seven’s Sunrise program on Monday how she recently heard the Australian star perform The Beatles’ Help and that it was the “best version” of the song she had come across.
“I want to sing a song that he performed and it’s the best version I’ve ever heard,” said an emotional Celine.
‘When he sang (Help) live, I listened to it a lot and I want to sing that song. I will approach him because I respect him a lot. ‘He’s my favorite singer of all time.’
She said she is determined to get back on stage and sing for John Farhnam.
Celine Dion has revealed how listening to John Farhnam perform has inspired her to continue singing amid her struggle with rigid person syndrome.
‘I will never forget the gift he gave me. When he comes back on stage and sings help, it will be for him. Thank you for that gift,” Celine added.
She also revealed how John helped her career by allowing her to sing his iconic song The Voice with him on stage.
Celine continued: ‘I have had the privilege and honor of singing The Voice with him. I will never forget the gift he gave her.’
Celine was diagnosed with stiff person syndrome almost two years ago, and her battle with the illness is the subject of the upcoming documentary I Am: Celine Dion.
When she suffers an episode, she experiences searing physical agony and her body stiffens, to the point of needing the help of her children.
The singer, 56, told Channel Seven’s Sunrise on Monday how she recently heard Farnham (pictured) perform The Beatles’ Help and it was the “best version” of the song.
Farnham also experienced his own health problems and recently underwent extensive surgery for oral cancer.
In August 2023, Farnham revealed that he was cancer-free, 12 months after undergoing oral surgery in 2022.
In his first personal statement since the procedure, the music superstar said he was finally in the comfort of his home surrounded by his loving family and felt like “the luckiest man I know.”
“It’s been a year since my first surgery and, to be honest, I’ve lost count of how many other procedures have been done since then,” he said.
“I’m sure someone has followed them all; let’s just say there have been a few.”
‘But now I am home and I am a very grateful and happy man. I’m sitting here in my living room enjoying the attention of my beautiful wife, Jill, my sons Rob and James and my mini Schnauzer, Edmund.’
‘When he sang (Help) live, I listened to it a lot and I want to sing that song. I will approach him because I respect him a lot. He’s my favorite singer of all time,” he said.
Farnham’s family had previously provided updates on behalf of the Australian music legend following the August 2022 procedure.
Speaking on Sunrise, John’s son Robert said his father was “doing fantastic” after a 12-hour surgery for throat cancer.
“Just the other day, he was walking with his cane and he did a dance that was pretty fabulous,” Robert said.
“He walks a lot with his dog, so he’s very, very happy.” He’s doing very well, he’s super positive,” he told Sunrise at the time.
The That’s Freedom hitmaker was also hospitalized after he developed a chest infection following surgery to remove a cancerous tumor in his mouth.
Farnham is “unlikely” to perform again after undergoing marathon surgery to remove the tumor from his mouth.
It comes after Farnham recently underwent extensive surgery for oral cancer.
In the operation, carried out by 26 medical staff, much of his jaw was also removed.
Entertainment journalist Peter Ford said there were doubts Farnham would take to the stage again after the recent death of his dear friend and manager Glenn Wheatley, but added it was now even more unlikely.
“Certainly now it has to be said that there is even less chance (of him acting),” he told 6PR.
Farnham only discovered he had a cancerous growth in his mouth after his wife Jill insisted on taking him to the doctor for a check-up when he developed a persistent mouth ulcer.
“The cancerous tumor was located in his mouth and has been successfully removed,” Mrs Farnham said at the time.
“There is still a long road of recovery and healing ahead, but we know John is up to the task.”
Ford said the first part of his surgery was the removal of his tumor.
Farnham is “unlikely” to perform again after undergoing the marathon surgery to remove the tumor from his mouth.
“And after that was done, almost immediately the reconstructive team stepped in because John, I’m told, had to have a significant portion of his jaw removed,” he said.
Ford previously reported that the singer was out of surgery, after “joking around” with hospital staff before the delicate procedure.
He said the long surgery, which lasted from 8am to 7.30pm, signaled the “gravity of the situation” but said Farnham had been in great spirits.
‘John’s surgery began at 8:00am this morning and was successfully completed at 7:30pm tonight. He has now been moved to the ICU and is in stable condition,” his family said in a statement at the time.
