Fears are held for a famed Queensland restaurateur who failed to return home from a walk.

John Kilroy, 74, was staying with friends in Brisbane while he underwent cancer treatment.

His friends say Mr Kilroy went for a walk along the Brisbane River on Sunday night but never returned, The Courier Mail reported.

“We are worried about him,” a friend told the newspaper.

“He was in great pain and went for a walk and we haven’t seen him since.

“Police have been notified.”

Mr Kilroy has been battling cancer for the past five years.

He was originally from Western Queensland and operated pubs, restaurants and function venues for more than four decades.

He retired from the industry when he sold his iconic Brisbane steakhouse Cha Cha Char in 2020 and relocated to Hervey Bay.

The restaurant was well known for its steak and hosted politicians, miners and executives.

Queensland Police said it had received a report about a missing 73-year-old man from Brisbane City on Monday.

“Initial investigations into this report are ongoing,” a spokesman said.

More to come