Singer Jimmy Barnes has announced he is undergoing open heart surgery.
The Working Class Man rocker, 67, said in a lengthy Instagram post he will be “out of action for a while” and it has “all happened very suddenly”.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Jimmy Barnes opens up on the health battle.
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“Unfortunately I got some bad news late yesterday … despite everyone’s best efforts the bacterial infection I’ve been battling over the last fortnight has apparently now spread to my heart,” he began his update on Wednesday morning.
“It’s infected an otherwise healthy valve that was replaced some years ago due to a congenital defect, so I’ll be getting open-heart surgery over the next few hours to clear out this infection and put in a clean valve.
“Obviously this is going to take me out of action for a while. I know lots of other people are battling even worse things but it still feels hugely frustrating.”
“Just a few weeks ago I was the fittest I’ve been in decades!”
He went on to address his upcoming shows, sharing that his team are currently rescheduling dates due to the “sudden” nature of the operation.
“Anyway, as you can hopefully appreciate, this has all happened very suddenly so it’s going to take a few days for everyone to figure out what’s going to be doable with my upcoming shows,” he explained.
“I’m really sorry for all the inconvenience this will cause but please be patient while my team works hard to figure things out. A new plan will be announced as soon as possible.”
Barnes went on to praise his wife of 42 years Jane Barnes for her love and support.
“In the meantime l’d like to thank my darling Jane for her around the clock love and care over the last few weeks in particular — as always l’d be lost without her.
“I’d also like to thank the doctors and nurses who’ve been amazing and all the people who have sent me ‘get well’ messages. You’ve all lifted my spirits and I’m sincerely grateful.
“Given the serious nature of this operation I probably won’t be posting again for the next few weeks so all the best to you and yours for the holidays.”
“Here’s hoping 2024 is full of much better things!” he ended his post.
The rocker’s wife Jane Barnes shared the post on Twitter writing, “I Love you with all my HEART.”
His son, TV host David Campbell went on to reshare the post writing, “Sending love to my Dad”.
The news comes just weeks after the singer was hospitalised on November 28 to treat bacterial pneumonia.
However days later his wife Jane shared an update of Barnes recovering in hospital, writing on X on December 5, “Slow & steady does it #PATIENCE”.
On December 9, Barnes shared his most recent update from the hospital, having a “hospital date” with his wife Jane.
“Mince, mashed tatties, neeps & pumpkin will make a Scotsman feel better … And yes, that’s a bottle of custard you see,” he said at the time.
“@jane13barnes brought in a berry cobbler too. Here we are on our hospital date this Saturday night. There’s a lot of partying going on, enjoy.”
Bacterial pneumonia is an infection in the lungs caused by bacteria. It inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs causing coughing, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing, according to Mayo Clinic.
Earlier in 2023 the singer was on bed rest following an emergency hip surgery and was forced to cancel his summer tour.
“We had some (live) things planned, but they fell through because of my surgery,” he said earlier this year.
His hip surgery relieved years of chronic pain.
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