Logie Awards 2024: Guy Sebastian and Jess Mauboy divide viewers with ‘eulogy’ for John Farnham after courageous battle with cancer: ‘He’s not dead!’

On Sunday evening, the Logies paid tribute to one of Australia’s greatest icons.

David Campbell took to the stage to wax lyrical about John Farnham, listing the highlights of the singer’s career and the many awards he won after his courageous battle with cancer.

“He sold over six million albums, had a career that spanned 60 years and is one of the greatest live performers the world has ever seen,” David said.

“We want to acknowledge John’s wife Jill, his sons Robert and James, and his good friend, Glenn Wheatley’s wife Gaynor and their son Tim Wheatley. But most importantly tonight we celebrate you, John. You are an Australian icon. You are the voice, mate,” he added.

David then introduced singers Guy Sebastian and Jess Mauboy, who sang one of Farnham’s biggest hits: You’re The Voice.

The viewers at home found the tribute to be in bad taste. Many said about X that John had fought cancer, but that he had not died. Furthermore, the tributes on stage gave the impression that the pop star had died.

“I understand John had a doco and some health issues recently but he didn’t die. Also this would be better at the arias, you know, the Australian music awards,” wrote one viewer on X.

“RIP John Farnham didn’t know he was dead,” another joked, while someone else said, “OMG FARNSY IS STILL ALIVE. This isn’t a eulogy.”

David then introduced singers Guy Sebastian and Jess Mauboy, who performed one of Farnham’s biggest hits, You’re The Voice. Both pictured

Viewers at home found the tribute to be in poor taste, with many commenting to X that while John had battled cancer, he had not died – and the tributes on stage made it seem as if the pop star had passed away

“Look. I get that Farnsy is a national treasure, but he’s not dead. Can we please stop pretending he’s dead?” someone else posted.

Others were happy with the tribute, with one person writing: ‘I think it’s better to celebrate our incredibly talented icons while they’re still alive!! We love you John.’

‘Jessica Mauboy you are the voice!!! That was perfection,’ wrote another, with yet another chiming in. ‘It’s fitting that Jess and Guy are singing a tribute to John Farnham.’

In August 2023, Farnham announced he was cancer-free, 12 months after undergoing oral surgery in 2022.

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

While some ridiculed the performance, others enjoyed it

John’s son Robert told the Sunrise program that his father is doing fantastically after a 12-hour operation for throat cancer.

The That’s Freedom hitmaker was also hospitalised after developing a chest infection following surgery to remove a cancerous tumour in his mouth.

It is “unlikely” that Farnham will ever perform again after undergoing major surgery to remove a tumor from his mouth.

The surgery, which was performed by 26 medical staff, also removed a large portion of his jaw.

Farnham only discovered he had cancer in his mouth after his wife Jill insisted he take him to the doctor for a check-up because he had a persistent ulcer in his mouth.

In April, John announced that he is releasing his own candid memoir, titled The Voice Inside, more than a year after his surgery for oral cancer.

In August 2023, Farnham announced he was cancer-free, 12 months after undergoing oral surgery in 2022. Pictured before the procedure