Jonnie Irwin has shared an update on his terminal cancer diagnosis as he detailed his hospice experience.
The A Place In The Sun presenter, 49, was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2020 but only went public with his diagnosis last November after being told that it had spread to his brain.
Now appearing on BBC Morning Live on Monday, Irwin gave a health update as he discussed the importance of palliative care.
Speaking to hosts Helen Skelton and Gethin Jones, he shared: “I’m really good, I have up days and down days but today is an up day. Family are great and very noisy.”
Irwin said of the hospice he’s been using: “It is a delight, it’s like a nice private hospital.
“My perception of a hospice was a boiling hot room and loads of people who look frail and towards the end of their days.
“This is nothing of the sort, it is spacious, lots of energy, comfortable. It even has a jacuzzi bath and en-suite rooms.
“The staff are amazing, so I’ve had a really good experience.”
When asked for advice he would give to others about palliative care, he added: “First of all embrace it, I was given the choice initially of what hospital I wanted to use.
“My first experience of palliative care in a hospice was blood transfusions. I had my first one in hospital and then I was invited to use the hospice, so I thought I’d give it a go.
“I went into a lovely room, biscuits piled up beside me and I just dipped in and out. I implore people to check out the hospice if you have the choice to use it then use it.”
Palliative care offers physical, emotional and practical support to people with a terminal illness. It can be offered at any point after a terminal diagnosis.
The Channel 4 presenter has previously spoke about staying at a hospice in a bid to stop his family seeing him suffer.
The TV star shares his three sons Rex, three, and twins Rafa and Corma, two, with his wife Jessica Holmes and also revealed they have not told their children about his diagnosis.
Speaking to Hello! magazine, he explained: “I remove myself on a number of occasions because I’m not good to be around when I’m in pain.
“I’m like a bear with a sore head and I don’t want them to be around that.”
