Jonnie Irwin recently revealed he has been diagnosed with terminal cancer (Picture: Channel 4 / fftv)
A Place In The Sun presenter Jonnie Irwin has shared his heartbreak that he likely won’t get to see his children grow up as he faces terminal cancer.
The TV star, 49, announced earlier this month that he could have months to live after doctors said his lung cancer had spread to his brain.
In the weeks since, Irwin has been spending time with his wife Jessica and their two-year-old twins Rafa and Cormac.
However, as he processes the devastating news, Irwin has realised his young children may not have memories of him when they grow up.
He said: ‘Every time something really nice happens with them, I have this thing knocking at my door, saying, “Don’t get too happy because you’re not going to be around much longer.
‘Then I think they’re not going to remember me, they’re really not.
The TV presenter shares twins Rafa and Cormac with wife Jessica (Picture: @JonnyIrwin, Instagram)
‘They’re too young and if I die this year there’s no chance they will have memories.’
Irwin added to The Sun: ‘Someone else is probably going to bring them up. I’ve done the hard yards with them and someone else will get the easy bit.’
The presenter also claimed that he was axed from A Place In The Sun and ‘pushed aside for someone healthier’ after sharing his cancer diagnosis.
According to the broadcaster, his contract was not renewed for the Channel 4 series, which he has hosted for a staggering 18 years.
Irwin said he could have months to live (Picture: Rex Features)
Channel 4 and Freeform responded in a statement which said: ‘No stone was left unturned in trying to enable Jonnie to continue his international filming with us during Covid but the production company were unable to secure adequate insurance cover for him.
‘We, of course, understand how frustrating this must be for him at this incredibly difficult time.’
It comes after Irwin revealed he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer after previously choosing to keep his health ordeal private.
‘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,’ he recently told Hello! Magazine.
‘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.’
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.
Irwin, 49, was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer and could have months to live.
