A Place In The Sun's Jonnie Irwin diagnosed with terminal cancer
He wants to inspire people to make the most of everyday
A Place In The Sun and Escape to the Country host Jonnie Irwin has revealed the heartbreaking news that he's been diagnosed with terminal cancer, with the 48-year-old admitting he doesn't know how long he has left to live.
Jonnie, who is a proud dad to three-year-old son Rex, and two-year-old twins Cormac and Rafa, spoke to Hello! Magazine about his diagnosis, revealing he was given just six months left to live when he was first diagnosed with lung cancer back in August 2020.
He said: "Within a week of flying back from filming, I was being given six months to live. I had to go home and tell my wife, who was looking after our babies, that she was on her own pretty much. That was devastating. All I could do was apologise to her. I felt so responsible."
Jonnie's prognosis was prolonged with the help of chemotherapy and other cancer treatments, allowing him to carry on with certain work, with the dad-of-three choosing to keep his illness out of the spotlight until now.
Revealing he's now chosen to speak about his diagnosis, Jonnie confessed he hopes to inspire people who are living with life-limiting prospects to make the most of every day, as well as urging people to take out life insurance.
He said: "It's got to the point now where it feels like I’m carrying a dirty secret – it’s become a monkey on my back. I hope that by shaking that monkey off and talking to HELLO!, I might inspire people who are living with life-limiting prospects to make the most of every day; to help them see that you can live a positive life, even though you are dying.
"One day, this is going to catch up with me. But I'm doing everything I can to hold that day off for as long as possible. I owe that to Jess and our boys. Some people in my position have bucket lists, but I just want us to do as much as we can as a family.
"That has helped so much and when I leave this planet, I'll do so knowing Jess and the boys are in a house that is fully paid off and there's a bit of money in the bank for them to live off."
Property expert Jonnie first landed a job on Channel 4 show A Place In The Sun way back in 2004, alongside co-presenter Jasmine Harman.
As well as a number of spin-off shows, Jonnie also writes a regular column for A Place in the Sun magazine, as well as appearing on shows such as Dream Lives for Sale and The Renovation Game.
Jonnie is also a popular face on BBC shows Escape to the Country and To Buy or Not to Buy.
Our thoughts are with Jonnie and his family at this difficult time.