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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
World
Lottie Gibbons

A Place In The Sun's Jonnie Irwin supported by co-stars after terminal cancer diagnosis

A Place In The Sun's Jonnie Irwin has been supported by his co-stars after sharing his terminal cancer diagnosis.

Jonnie, 48, who presents Channel 4's A Place In The Sun and the BBC's Escape To The Country, revealed his lung cancer had spread to his brain, telling Hello magazine: "I don't know how long I have left."

Jonnie revealed the first warning sign of his illness came while he was filming A Place In The Sun in August 2020 in Italy, when his vision became blurry while driving.

READ MORE: A Place in the Sun presenter Jonnie Irwin given six months to live after 'blurred vision'

He said: "Within a week of flying back from filming, I was being given six months to live. I had to go home and tell my wife, who was looking after our babies, that she was on her own pretty much. That was devastating.

"All I could do was apologise to her. I felt so responsible." Jonnie, who shares 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.

He said: "It's got to the point now where it feels like I'm carrying a dirty secret, it's become a monkey on my back. I hope that by shaking that monkey off I might inspire people who are living with life-limiting prospects to make the most of every day, to help them see that you can live a positive life, even though you are dying.

"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. 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."

Posting an image of his interview with Hello Magazine on Instagram, several of Jonnie's colleagues sent supportive messages.

A Place In The Sun presenter Jasmine Harman said: "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. Sending lots of love, speak soon, Jx."

Escape to the Country's Nicki Chapman said: "Love you guys so much." Ginny Buckley added: "Sending love and a hug to you and your beautiful family."

And Homes Under The Hammer's Lucy Alexander said: "Jonnie. I get so much joy watching you and your boys on here. You’re one hellava Flippin amazeballs presenter and I’m sending so soooo much love and strength."

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