Australian music icon John Farnham has confirmed he will never perform live again following his recovery from oral cancer. 

Speaking to the Herald Sun, the 76-year-old blamed the devastating effects from his cancer surgeries for the decision.

'We can rule that out. Because of the surgeries to my mouth and face over the past few years, singing on stage is not something I can consider again. It's just not possible,' he said. 

The You're The Voice hitmaker confirmed the sad news shortly before a tribute show, The Songs of John Farnham: A Living Legend, was announced on Friday. 

The concert will go ahead on September 20th at Rod Laver Arena, and will be headlined by stars including Keith Urban, Celine Dion and Hugh Jackman. 

Funds raised will go towards Head and Neck Cancer Australia, which supported Farnham during his cancer ordeal. 

In his interview with the Herald Sun, Farnham admitted that he initially knocked back plans for the concert twice when approached by promoters Paul Dainty and Tony Cochrane, before eventually agreeing for it to go ahead. 

'It made me feel terribly uncomfortable, to be honest,' he said, adding that he initially said no because the concert sounded like it would be 'too much fuss' for everyone. 

'No one needs to come and do this for me. I'm not dead yet, remember,' he added with a laugh. 

Farnham explained that the promoters left him to consider the concert before approaching him for a second time - only for him to shut down the idea again. 

The idea only gained Farnham's support after the pair suggested the concert could help raise money for head and neck cancer charities.

'I'm gobsmacked and truly grateful that everyone has said yes. It is truly humbling and I can't thank them enough for what they will be doing for this cause, which is very special and personal for me,' he said. 

Tickets go on sale at 10am on June 2 via Ticketek. 

Australian stars including Tina Arena, Jimmy Barnes, Jon Stevens, Kate Ceberano, and Jessica Mauboy will also perform. 

In 2022, the hitmaker discovered he had a cancerous growth in his mouth after his wife Jill insisted he get a persistent mouth ulcer checked out.

Having found a malignant tumour, the resulting operation saw parts of his mouth and jaw removed, and lasted nearly 12 hours.

Farnham then underwent eight gruelling weeks of radiation and, 12 months later, was declared cancer-free.

In his memoir The Voice Inside, John detailed his cancer ordeal and how it robbed him of his life's passion.

'My facial disfigurement from the surgery means I can't open my mouth wide enough for a strip of spaghetti, let alone to sing,' he wrote.

'I can't get the movement to make the sounds I want to make, that's where the vibrations and my voice come from. It's a very disconcerting thing. And trying hurts.'