Mr Johnson’s name was read out at a ceremony at Melbourne’s Government House, putting him in the running to become the 2018 Australian of the Year.

Mr Johnson, who grew up in Daylesford, founded Love Your Sister with his sister Connie, who died from breast cancer last month. So far the charity has raised more than $7 million for cancer research.

A household name on Australian television for many years, he was awarded the Gold Logie in 2017 for his performance as Molly Meldrum.

With Connie’s death still raw, Mr Johnson has pledged to continue to tirelessly fight for families and has vowed to put his acting career on hold until Love Your Sister raises $10 million.