Former Australian Idol contestant Courtney Murphy has been diagnosed with advanced stage bowel cancer, his family has confirmed. The 45-year-old Perth-based musician, who finished third in the second season of the show in 2004, is facing a “very serious” condition, according to a statement from his brothers.
Murphy’s brothers, Kieran and Chris, launched a GoFundMe campaign on Easter Sunday (31 March 2024) to support the singer and his family. They revealed that Murphy, who is self-employed, will be unable to work for the foreseeable future, placing his wife Jane Price and their three young children under financial strain.
“Our beautiful brother Courtney Murphy is in for the fight of his life,” the brothers wrote on the fundraising page. “It is with heavy hearts that we share Court has been diagnosed with advanced stage bowel cancer. It’s very serious.” The family has set a target of £46,327 ($75,000 AUD), and as of 1 April 2024, over 600 donations had raised £46,327.
Courtney Murphy gained fame on Australian Idol in 2004 after covering Maroon 5’s She Will Be Loved. He has since worked as a musician, appearing in the Queen musical We Will Rock You in 2018 and releasing albums with his brothers in the bands Murphy’s Lore and The Murphy Brothers. His solo album Big was released in 2010.
The diagnosis comes just three months after the Murphy family lost their father to a brain tumour. Supporters have left messages of encouragement on the GoFundMe page, with one donor writing: “All the best Courtney… You’ve got this.” Another shared their own experience with bowel cancer, urging Murphy to “stay strong and positive.”
