Jonnie Irwin has disclosed that he has been diagnosed with terminal cancer.
The 48-year-old presenter of A Place In The Sun on Channel 4 and Escape To The Country on the BBC revealed to Hello! magazine that his lung cancer had spread to his brain.
“I have no idea how much time I have left,” he told the publication.
He stated that he hopes his diagnosis will inspire others to “seize every opportunity”
Irwin, who shares three-year-old son Rex and two-year-old twins Rafe and Cormac with his wife Jessica, had previously kept his condition a secret.
In 2020, while filming A Place in the Sun in Italy, his vision blurred as he was driving, which he described as the first warning sign.
“Within a week of returning from filming, I was given six months to live,” he explained.
“I had to return home and inform my wife, who was caring for our children, that she was essentially on her own. That was catastrophic.
“I had no choice but to apologize to her. I felt so accountable.”
Irwin has worked as much as possible and stated, “I felt like I was carrying a nasty secret; it had become a monkey on my back.”
He stated, “I believe that by throwing that monkey off, I may inspire others with life-limiting circumstances to make the most of every day, to show them that you can live a great life even if you are dying.”
“This will eventually catch up with me, but I’m doing everything I can to delay that day as long as possible.
“That is due to Jess and our guys. Some individuals in my position have bucket goals, but I simply want my family to accomplish as much as possible.”
The property expert, who also writes articles and gives lectures on the subject, stated that he does not know precisely “how long I have left” but is attempting to be “positive” and “create memories” with his family because he is “living with cancer, not dying from it.”
“I establish small goals, things I want to be there for,” he stated. “I became accustomed to saying, “Don’t plan because I may not be well enough.”
“However, I now wish to make plans. I want to preserve memories and capture these moments with my family since it pains my heart that my sons will grow up without knowing their father.
Irwin has also obtained life insurance and has advised others to do so.
When I leave this earth, I will know that Jess and the boys are living in a house that is entirely paid off and that they have a bit of money in the bank to live on.
“I appreciate the sunshine”
Jasmine Harman, co-host of His Place in the Sun, commented on the news “Words can’t heal everything, but Jonnie, what great words of support you’ve had here [on social media].
“I know you already know this, but I am here for you, Jess, and the boys, my dear buddy. So, so brave. Sending lots of love, please get in touch soon.”
The official Instagram page for the program added: “We have no words, only love, affection, and respect for our longtime friend and colleague, the magnificent Jonnie Irwin. Jess and the boys and I are thinking about you.”
One viewer remarked on Twitter: “So incredibly sad tonight. Jonnie is a fantastic presenter and comes across as a truly decent individual.”
“So incredibly sad,” said another. “I have always appreciated Jonnie’s wit and passion for life. I hope that these qualities will aid him and his family during these extremely trying times. Thank you, Jonnie, for all the sunlight.”
Since 2004, Irwin has hosted A Place in the Sun, and since 2010, he has been on Escape to the Country.
