A Place In The Sun’s Jonnie Irwin reveals heartbreaking let down amid cancer battle
A PLACE In The Sun’s Jonnie Irwin heartbreakingly admitted that he was let down by some people amid his cancer battle – saying “the people I thought would be supportive weren’t”.
The much-loved TV show host, 49, is bravely battling terminal lung cancer which has since spread to his brain after he was diagnosed in 2020.
Jonnie praised his fellow BBC co-stars for supporting him during the last few years, but admitted he’d been left disappointed by people he thought would stand by him.
The property star appeared at the TRIC Awards last Tuesday, surrounded by his co-stars – including Nicki Chapman, Sonali Shah and Jules Hudson.
Speaking about the support he has received from his fellow colleagues, Jonnie exclusively told The Sun: “It means everything to me, I consider these people my family.
“The people I thought would be supportive weren’t.
“But these guys in this game have done what I hoped they would do and more.”
He went on: This is my boss and she’s been with me every step of the day, personally and professionally and I couldn’t be more grateful to have her in my life.”
He opened up about his cancer battle saying he “feels stronger every week” and said his family have been the driving force behind him staying strong.
Speaking about Father’s Day last month, Jonnie said: “It was amazing, everyone made the effort, my favourite thing about Father’s Day was being upright for the kids and the Guinness cake my wife cooked me, it lasted a day, it meant everything to me.
“I’ve not got much to look forward to but family and work is what drives me really, they are so interrelated.”
Jonnie said he’s been cherishing every moment he has with his family, making precious memories with his three sons Rex, three, and twins Rafa and Corma, two, and wife Jessica Holmes.
The popular star said: “It’s brilliant until I’ve just had enough and have to go and have a lie down. But it’s been amazing these past couple of years even though I’ve had my illness to battle.
“I get more tired, my appetite has been affected but I’m just trying to do as much as possible all the time really.
“I really would like to go on holiday – every week I feel a little bit stronger.
“I don’t think I would be able to go long haul, I wouldn’t feel comfortable but if I could go somewhere in Spain, Portugal or Italy – that would be great.”
Jonnie – who previously claimed that he was removed from hosting duties on Channel 4’s property show A Place in the Sun because he had terminal cancer – said that he misses working on the show but is happy to dip his toes into different presenting projects.
“I’ve done some work for BBC Morning Live – they’ve been great towards me as well and they’ve tried to find ways to squeeze me in the schedule, hopefully that will happen later this year,” the presenter said.
Jonnie told us at the TRIC Awards: “I miss this world, I miss being on location, going to people’s houses and having a snoop around but I miss the countryside.
“Escape to the Country is the best programme I’ve ever worked on for lots of reasons, I miss it daily but when I get the chance I take it and I really enjoy it.”
Jonnie didn’t make his diagnosis public until last year as he felt he had to keep working, and covered it up as he believed TV bosses wouldn’t want to hire him.
However, since revealing he was ill, Jonnie has been incredibly honest about his condition and the fear he has for his family.
The father-of-three has opened up about his regrets and mistakes and urged his fans not to follow in his footsteps.
Speaking to AIG Life’s The OneChat podcast, he said: “I didn’t take critical illness insurance out and therefore I had to keep working.
“Without work, I’ve got no means of paying the bills. And if I had taken the critical illness insurance out, that could’ve covered my outgoings and I probably could’ve told the world [about his condition] a lot sooner.”
Jonnie gave his followers a positive insight to his life while celebrating Father’s Day.
The property expert was treated to a very special day by his three boys and wife.
In one picture Jonnie was all smiles as he held a bar of chocolate surrounded by his sons, while in another he enjoyed a slice of cake outside.
He also posted a snap of the cards that the youngsters made, as well him in motorcycle gear.
Jonnie captioned the post: “Had The best Father’s Day ever.
“Breakfast of Chocolate Guinness cake baked expertly my brilliant wife then cards from the boys and visit from my brother in law for a brief pillion ride back in time to enjoy some of the highs and lows of the Ashes ending in more cake with more family washed down by a drop of champers. #fathersday.”
Doctors told him he only had six months to live when they discovered lung cancer two-and-a-half years ago.
He defied those predictions, despite the fatal condition spreading to his brain.
In a podcast, Jonnie explained: “I am living with cancer rather than dying from cancer.”