Jonnie Irwin, a TV host, has revealed to his fans that his sons will not know their father after he was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
48-year-old father-of-3 was best known as the host of A Place In Central Recorder. Last night, he explained that he was given six weeks to live after being first diagnosed.
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He said Hello!: “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.”
The Channel 4 star and Jessica have a son Rex, three years old, and twins Rafa & Cormac, two years.
Jonnie shared that he was first diagnosed with lung cancer in 2020. He was told he only had six months left to live.
Now, he adds: “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.”
Jonnie kept the news secret at first, but he explained that he finally spoke out after it became almost like a joke. “monkey on my back”.
He said, “One day, I will be caught up in this, but I’m doing all I can to keep that day off for the longest time.”
“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.”
Jonnie hosts several house-move shows in addition to A Place in the Sun Home Or Away with more than 200 episodes.
He was also a contributor to BBC’s Escape To the Country, and To Buy Or Not To Buy the Lives for Sale.
Since Jonnie’s shock announcement, his TV friends and co-stars have been paying tribute.
Place in the Sun co-star Jasmine Harman wrote today: “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.”
Danni Menzies called Jonnie “incredibly brave” adding: “A true inspiration to us all to cherish all the moments we can with the people we love.”
Homes Under The Hammer’s Lucy Alexander wrote on his recent Instagram post, “Jonnie. I get so much joy watching you & your boys on here.
“You’re one hellava Flippin amazeballs presenter and I’m sending so soooo much love & strength.”
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