Celine Dion breaks down as she reveals her special connection to John Farnham amid his cancer battle – and reveals how he helped her career

Celine Dion has revealed how listening to John Farnham perform inspired her to keep singing amid her struggle with stiff person syndrome.

The 56-year-old singer told Channel Seven’s Sunrise on Monday how she recently heard Australian star Help by The Beatles and it was the “best version” of the song she had come across.

“I want to sing a song he performed and it’s the best version I’ve heard,” said an emotional Celine.

‘When he sang [Help] I listened to him a lot live and I want to sing that song. I will contact him because I have so much respect for him. He’s my favorite singer of all time.’

She said she is determined to get back on stage and sing for John Farhnam.

“I will never forget the gift he gave me. If I go on stage again and help sing, it will be for him. Thank you for that gift,” Celine added.

She also revealed how John helped her career by letting her sing his iconic song The Voice with him on stage.

Celine continued, “I had the privilege and honor of singing The Voice with him. I will never forget the gift he gave him.”

Celine was diagnosed with stiff person syndrome nearly two years ago, and her battle with the disease is the subject of the upcoming documentary I Am: Celine Dion.

When she experiences an episode, she experiences searing physical pain and her body becomes so stiff that she may need help from her sons.

Farnham has also experienced his own health problems and recently underwent extensive surgery for oral cancer.

In August 2023, Farnham revealed he is 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 own home, surrounded by his loving family, and felt like “the happiest man I know.”

“It’s been a year since my first surgery and honestly I’ve lost count of how many other procedures there have been since then,” he said.

“I’m sure someone has 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 enjoying the attention of my beautiful wife Jill, my boys Rob and James and my mini Schnauzer, Edmund.’

Farnham’s family had previously provided updates on behalf of the Australian music legend, following the August 2022 proceedings.

Speaking on Sunrise, John’s son Robert said his father was ‘doing fantastic’ after a 12-hour operation for throat cancer.

“The other day he was walking around with his cane and doing a little dance, which was pretty fantastic,” Robert said.

‘He walks a lot with his dog, so he is very happy. He is doing very well, he is super positive,” he told Sunrise at the time.

The That’s Freedom hitmaker was additionally hospitalized after developing a chest infection following surgery to remove a cancerous tumor in his mouth.

Farnham is ‘unlikely’ to ever perform again after undergoing marathon surgery to remove the tumor from his mouth.

The operation, performed by 26 medical staff, also saw the removal of a large part of his jaw.

Entertainment reporter Peter Ford said there were doubts whether Farnham would take the stage again following the recent death of his dear friend and manager Glenn Wheatley, but added it was now even more unlikely.

‘Especially now you have to say that the chance is even smaller [of him performing]’, he told 6PR.

Farnham had only discovered he had the cancerous tumor 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 was successfully removed,” Ms Farnham said at the time.

“We still have a long road of recovery and healing ahead of us, but we know John is up for the task.”

Ford said the first part of his surgery was to remove his tumor.

“And after that was done, the reconstructive team went into action almost immediately because John, I was told, had to have a large part of his jaw removed,” he said.

Ford previously reported that the singer emerged from surgery after “joking” with hospital staff ahead of the delicate procedure.

He said the lengthy operation, which lasted from 8am to 7.30pm, highlighted the “seriousness of the situation” but said Farnham was in good spirits.

‘John’s operation started at 8am this morning and was successfully completed this evening at 7.30pm. He has since been transferred to intensive care and is in a stable condition,” his family said in a statement at the time.