A Place In The Sun's Jonnie Irwin hasn't told his children he has terminal cancer

Father-of-three Jonnie Irwin has spoken about keeping his terminal cancer diagnosis from his eldest child.

The presenter, 48 - who is best known for fronting A Place in the Sun and Escape to the Country - announced this week that he has been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Jonnie revealed lung cancer has spread to his brain, with him having initially been given by doctors just six months to live. He said the diagnosis came after experiencing blurred vision in 2020.

Jonnie and wife Jessica chose to keep the diagnosis private until recently, and has said he can't bear to tell his three-year-old who is poking fun at his hair loss as he doesn't want to "shatter his innocence".

Jonnie Irwin (right), pictured with his eldest son Rex (left), shared his cancer diagnosis recently (jonnieirwintv/Instagram)

Jonnie, pictured with his wife Jess Irwin (left), has opened up about their life since the news (jonnieirwintv/Instagram)

He spoke about their children - Rex, three, and two-year-old twins Rafa and Cormac - whilst discussing the family's life since his diagnosis with Hello! magazine recently.

The presenter explained eldest child Rex in particular isn't aware of the diagnosis as he said: "He doesn't need to know yet."

Jonnie further commented: "We make fun of my hair - he calls it my 'spiky head' - but as far as he's concerned, his dad is normal and why would I shatter that innocence?"

Jonnie, pictured with his family, spoke about the diagnosis with Hello! magazine recently (PA)

The father-of-three said that at some point his cancer is going to "catch up" with him but he is doing everything he can to "hold that day off for as long as possible".

Jonnie said he wants the family to do as much as possible together in the meantime, revealing that he is teaching Rex how to ride his bike and enjoying other activities together.

He said this includes going to the beach for a day and playing football and although he sometimes has to take a break due to feeling tired, he is still present.

The father-of-three said he wants to do as much as possible with his family now (jonnieirwintv/Instagram)

"Yes, it kills me when I have to sit down and watch someone else take over because I'm tired," he commented in the recent interview. He however added: "But I'm there."

Jonnie said he went public about his terminal cancer diagnosis in a bid to inspire people in similar circumstances to embrace every day of their own lives.

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