A Place In The Sun's Jonnie Irwin admits being axed left him in a 'really dark place'

Jonnie Irwin says getting the axe from A Place In The Sun after almost 20 years left him in a 'really dark place'.

The presenter, 48, was heartbroken when his contract wasn't renewed by Channel 4, after filming more than 200 shows for the hit property programme.

It comes as Jonnie has spoken out for the first since being diagnosed with terminal cancer, saying he is determined to make the very most of whatever time he has left.

The father-of-three decided to go public with the tragic news in order to get the 'monkey off my back'.

Jonnie announced this weekend he has lung cancer, which has spread to his brain.

He went to get checked out after filming in Italy two years ago, when he first realised something might be wrong.

A Place In The Sun's Jonnie Irwin has told the world he hasn't got long to live (@jonnieirwintv/Instagram)

In an emotional interview alongside his wife Jessica, Jonnie told Hello! magazine about the amazing support he has had.

However, leaving A Place In The Sun after so long came as a crushing blow.

He said: "The Escape to the County team were brilliant.

"I wanted to work and I needed to work for my own wellbeing and to provide for my family, they couldn't have done more to help me."

He says he now wants to make memories for his children and wife (jonnieirwintv/Instagram)

He explained that his departure from A Place In The Sun left him in a 'really dark place' (jonnieirwintv/Instagram)

But his time on A Place In The Sun left him in a "really dark place".

He added: "I had been with the show for almost two decades, so physiologically, that was was a really big blow."

The host, who is proud dad to three-year-old son Rex and two-year-old twins Rafa and Cormac with his wife Jessica, said he had chosen to keep his illness private until now.

Alongside going public with his diagnosis, Jonnie is also encouraging others to take out life insurance.

Jonnie decided to go public with the terrible news in order to get the 'monkey off my back' (Channel 4)

He said in his recent interview: "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."

He now says he is desperate to make plans and make memories.

Jonnie added: "My boys are going to grow up not knowing their dad and that breaks my heart.

“One day, this is going to catch up with me, but I’m doing everything I can to hold that day off for as long as possible."