The TV host Jonnie Irwin has disclosed that he has been given a fatal cancer diagnosis. The 48-year-old host of the BBC’s Escape To The Country and Channel 4’s A Place In The Sun revealed to Hello! magazine that his lung cancer had spread to his brain.
I don’t know how much longer I have, he told the newspaper.
He continued by expressing the hope that his diagnosis may motivate others to “make the most of every day.”
Irwin, who lives with his wife Jessica and their children Rex, 3, and twins Rafa and Cormac, 2, up until this point, had kept his condition a secret.
The first symptoms, according to him, appeared in 2020 when he was driving and experiencing eye problems while filming A Place in the Sun in Italy.
“I was given six months to live within a week of flying back from filming,” he recalled.
“I had to return home and let my wife, who was taking care of our children, know that she was essentially on her own. That was terrible.
“I was only able to apologize to her. I felt so in charge.”
Irwin said it had gotten to the point where “I felt like I was carrying a dirty secret, it’s become a monkey on my back,” despite continuing to work as much as possible.
The speaker said,
“I hope that by shaking that monkey off I could inspire individuals who are living with life-limiting prospects to make the most of every day and to show them that you can live a positive life, even when you are dying.
“This will eventually come up with me, but I’m doing all in my power to delay that day as long as I can.
“To Jess and our boys, I owe that. While other people in my position have bucket lists, I just want our family to experience as much as possible.”
The real estate specialist, who also publishes articles and gives lectures on the subject, said he was unsure of “how long I have left,” but that he was attempting to “create memories” with his family and have a good outlook since he believed that he was “living with cancer, not dying from it.”
He stated,
“I set small markers, things I want to be around for. “I developed the practice of telling people not to make plans because I might not be well enough.
“I want to make plans immediately, though. My babies won’t grow up knowing their dad, and that tears my heart, therefore I want to preserve memories and document these times with my family.”
In addition, Irwin purchased life insurance and urged others to do the same.
That has been a huge assistance, and I’ll be able to pass away knowing that Jess and the boys have a paid-off property and enough cash in the bank to live on when I die.
“I appreciate the sunshine,”
His Place in the Sun co-host Jasmine Harman responded to the news as follows: “Although words can’t do much to change things, Jonnie, what great words of encouragement you have received online.
“As you already know, I am here for you, my dear buddy, as well as Jess and the boys. So courageous. Love to you all, talk to you soon.”
The official Instagram page for the program added: “We only have love, respect, and admiration for the beautiful Jonnie Irwin, our longtime friend, and colleague, and we are at a loss for words. Jess and the boys are in our minds as well as you.”
A viewer tweeted the following: “Such a sad night. Jonnie is an excellent presenter and comes off as a good person.”
Another person added, “So extremely sad.” “Jonnie’s sense of humor and zeal for life has always been enjoyable to me. I’m hoping that such qualities will benefit him and his family during these trying times. Jonnie, I appreciate all the sunshine.”
Since 2004, Irwin has presented A Place in the Sun, and since 2010, he has appeared in Escape to the Country.
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