Jonnie Irwin said he ‘escaped to the country’ after he revealed his diagnosis (Picture: @jonnieirwintv/Instagram)
Jonnie Irwin has thanked fans for their support after speaking out about his cancer diagnosis, saying he’s ‘overwhelmed’ by the outpouring of love.
A Place In The Sun and Escape To The Country presenter Jonnie recently explained that he’d been given ‘months to live’ after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.
After speaking out, he revealed in a new post that he has also ‘escaped to the country’.
‘Overwhelmed by your kind messages, not had the chance to read them all yet but I assure you I will,’ Jonnie, 48, wrote.
‘Yesterday I needed some headspace so I escaped to the country with my brother in law and his dog. It was a tonic. Xx’.
Dad-of-three Jonnie explained this week that he could have just months to live after the cancer in his lung spread to his brain but he’s trying his best to maintain a positive attitude.
He chose to keep his diagnosis private up until now, admitting he wants to ‘get the monkey off my back’ and speak openly about it.
He told Hello!: ‘I don’t know how long I have left, but I try to stay positive and my attitude is that I’m living with cancer, not dying from it.
‘I set little markers – things I want to be around for. I got into the habit of saying, “Don’t plan ahead because I might not be well enough.” But now I want to make plans. I want to make memories and capture these moments with my family because the reality is, my boys are going to grow up not knowing their dad and that breaks my heart.’
He first got a warning sign that something wasn’t quite right in August 2020, when he was in Italy, filming for A Place in the Sun.
His vision became blurred while driving, and he had tests as soon as he arrived home.
Jonnie shares three children with his wife Jessica (Picture: @JonnyIrwin)
Jonnie started presenting A Place In The Sun with Jasmine Harman in 2004 (Picture: Channel 4)
‘Within a week of flying back from filming, I was being given six months to live,’ he said. ‘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 has been undergoing chemotherapy and he’s continued to work throughout, with cancer drugs helping to prolong his prognosis.
Speaking about why he wants to announce his cancer to the world, he admitted it felt like he was ‘carrying a dirty secret’ and he wants to now ‘inspire people who are living with life-limiting prospects to make the most of every day.’
Among those to share their support for Jonnie have been his TV colleagues.
Jonnie decided to go public with his diagnosis after two years (Picture: @JonnyIrwin)
Jasmine Harman, who started working on A Place In The Sun with Jonnie in 2004, said: ‘Sending lots of love and support to my great friend and original partner in crime @jonnieirwintv.
‘I know it has taken bravery to share your story. As ever a true inspiration & always positive and up for a laugh no matter what the circumstances. love to you and your beautiful family.’
Laura Hamilton told him: ‘Sending so much love and respect to you and your family Jonnie. We all know how tough it has been for you to share your story… Hamo xxx’.
Newsreader and A Place in the Sun star Danni Menzies shared a joyous picture of her, Jonnie and co-star Jean Johansson.
‘You ledge @jonnieirwintv so incredibly brave to share your diagnosis with the world,’ she wrote on Instagram.
‘A true inspiration to us all to cherish all the moments we can with the people we love. Love and laughs always to you and your gorge fam xxx.’
Jonnie is married to Jessica Holmes, 40, and they share three sons – Rex, three, and two-year-old twins Rafa and Cormac.
Macmillan cancer support
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with cancer, Macmillan can offer support and information.
You can contact their helpline on 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week from 8am to 8pm), use their webchat service, or visit their site for more information.
He revealed this week that he could have just months to live.
