A Place in The Sun’s Jonnie Irwin ‘given 6 months to live’ as he’s diagnosed with terminal cancer
A Place in The Sun star Jonnie Irwin has revealed he has terminal cancer and was given six months to live.
The keen sportsman, 48, married wife Jessica Holmes in 2016 and they share three sons.
He was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2020 and given just months to live, doing everything he can since to stay with Jess, 40, and son Rex, three, and two-year-old twins Rafa and Cormac.
Jonnie told Hello! magazine: “I owe that to Jess and our boys.
“Some people in my position have bucket lists, but I just want us to do as much as we can as a family.”
The Escape to the Country host bravely added: “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.
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“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 discovered he had cancer – which has spread to his brain – a week after filming A Place In The Sun in Italy in August 2020.
He was told then that he had “six months to live” and said he has prolonged his life then against the odds with cancer drugs and chemotherapy.
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Jonnie compared his cancer secret to having a “monkey on his back” and said he wanted to share his story to inspire others suffering with “life-limiting prospects to make the most of every day”.
He said he wanted to help people to “see that you can live a positive life, even though you are dying”.
He has urged people to take out life insurance, admitting it has given him some peace of mind.
He said: “That has helped so much and when I leave this planet, I’ll do so knowing Jess and the boys are in a house that is fully paid off and there’s a bit of money in the bank for them to live off.”
Jonnie’s fans and friends wrote messages to him on Instagram after he shared his story.
Escape the Country’s Nicki Chapman said: “Love you guys so much ”
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Another said: “Jonnie I am so so sorry to hear your news, I have followed your adventures with pointy man (rex ) on Instagram and then with the twins, but obviously on tv as well. Life is so cruel, to the nicest of people. I send you all our love to you and your family. xx”
And a third heartbroken fan penned: “Sending you and your beautiful family so much love and strength. Thank you for sharing your news, I’m sure that many people who are in a similar situation will draw strength and inspiration from you. We are all with you Jonnie ”