Australian musician Jimmy Barnes is up and about after having open heart surgery last week. 

Wife Jane Barnes posted an update on her husband’s social media that he was walking around and in good spirits after he had to have surgery because a bacterial infection had spread to his heart.

On Instagram, his wife wrote: “Jane Barnes here with ‘Our Jimmy’ update for all your well wishers sending in #positivity. Day 3 post op we had a few walks up and down the hallway, 250m I’d say. A tough & fragile day but here’s a big brave smile for us. Keep up the good work Jimmy.”

On Friday, the musician’s wife tweeted that her husband was “moving out of ICU” and had been on a short walk within the hospital.

Last month, Barnes had to pull out of the Rock the Boat 2023 cruise festival because he was hospitalised for bacterial pneumonia.

He was initially expected to make a full recovery after a few days.

The 67-year-old had shows scheduled for December, January and February but in a statement said the health setback would “take him out of action for a while”.

“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,” he said in a statement on Instagram.

In late 2022, Barnes also had to cancel performances to undergo emergency back and hip surgery due to “constant and severe pain”.

It is unclear when the musician will be discharged from hospital but Ms Barnes revealed on the social media website X that she had put their Christmas tree up “in the hope that Jimmy will be home for Christmas”.