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Celebrity

14th Nov 2022

A Place in the Sun’s Jonnie Irwin shares terminal cancer diagnosis

Sarah McKenna Barry

He said that he doesn’t know “how long” he has left.

Jonnie Irwin has announced that he has been diagnosed with a cancer that has spread from his lung to his brain.

The TV presenter, who is best known for his work on A Place in the Sun and Escape to the Country told Hello Magazine that he may only have a few months to live.

He said: “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 explained that he is conscious about maximising his time with his wife, Jessica Holmes, and their sons, three-year-old Rex and two-year-old twins Cormac and Rafa.

Jonnie said: “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.”

Jonnie first became concerned about his health when his vision became blurry while driving. Medical tests later confirmed that he had cancer.

He shared that when he learned he had cancer, he found breaking the news to his wife “devastating”.

“All I could do was apologise to her,” he said. “I felt so responsible.”

He is currently undergoing chemotherapy and other drug treatments.

Jonnie shared photos from the Hello Magazine shoot on Instagram, and was met with support in the comments section.

His co-host Jasmine Harman wrote: “Words can’t fix much, but what lovely words of support you have had here Jonnie. I know you know this already, but I am here for you my dear friend, and Jess and the boys. So, so brave. Sending lots of love, speak soon.”