Molly Meldrum has thanked his friends, family and fans for their well wishes during his recovery following a near-fatal fall at his Melbourne home last year.
The first photo of the music guru to be publicly released since the accident in December shows him with his beloved dog Ziggy after the pair were reunited on Thursday.
Meldrum has spent eight weeks in hospital since falling three metres down stairs at his Richmond home on December 15.
He suffered serious head injuries in the fall and spent four weeks at Melbourne's The Alfred hospital before being transferred to the Epworth Rehabilitation hospital, where he remains in the Post-Traumatic Amnesia Unit.
He is suffering from post-traumatic amnesia, with symptoms that include short-term memory loss and disorientation.
In a public statement, the 66-year-old said he was missing his friends and family and his work.
"Although I am not ready yet, I can't wait to go home, to look after Ziggy, to see my friends, and to properly thank them, my family and the hundreds of people who sent their best wishes and love to me," he said.
"I have missed everybody, missed my work, missed having access to a phone and my laptop, but I know I can re-introduce these things gradually as I get better."
He also thanked the prime minister for her well wishes and hoped she was having a better time than he was.
"I even received a card from Julia Gillard, so I wish her all the best," he said.
"I hope she's having a better time than I am!"
Meldrum said he had been "incredibly" well looked after by hospital staff and was grateful for their support.
"Believe it or not, while I can't say I like being hospital, I know I have been very well supported," he said.
"I have enjoyed meeting other patients and their families.
"We all have a fair bit of rehab ahead of us and we encourage each other in the exercise programs."
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