Escape to the Country star Jonnie Irwin took to instagram to say thanks for a special present - prompting fans to rush to wish him well. The popular BBC and ITV presenter had previously spoken about how much he enjoyed his father’s day, branding it the best ever.
Jonnie, originally from Leicestershire said he was grateful in his latest post - and said his special present was allowing him to spend time in the garden together. The 49-year-old is suffering from terminal cancer which has spread from his lungs to his brain and recently revealed that he had been spending some time in a hospice to help handle the pain.
In his new post he said: “Super grateful to @time_out_space for my Fathers Day present. Weather permitting we’re using this dining set for all of our meals and can at last have a proper grownup garden party! #outdoors #alfresco #gift”
His followers immediately gave him support. Marilyn Vernris said: ”I’m praying for your complete healing and may you and your family enjoy time together. It’s priceless.”
7954 Raj added: “You look great Jonnie that table and furniture is amazing!! Love it and your family your all stars!!!!”
Triciauno added: “Great size family table..You are such a positive person wishing you all the best.” Michelle Haslam said: “Enjoy every minute with your lovely little family.”
Kevinlam1 added: “Brilliant. Enjoy the beautiful summer days with your dear family. All the very best to you Jonnie.”
Jonnie, who also presented A Place in the Sun recently spoke about the mistake he made before his cancer diagnosis which meant he has had to continue to work while he is ill. He had failed to take out critical illness insurance cover before the devastating diagnosis. Critical illness cover pays out a lump sum if you’re diagnosed with a condition that’s covered by the policy, which can be used to cover costs if you need to take time off work.
The 49-year-old 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 was talking to AIG Life’s The OneChat podcast and said he feels “ridiculous” for not considering this level of insurance after being diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. He added: “I could’ve had two years of living a more open lifestyle. And I want people to learn from that mistake. I think at the time I just thought I can better spend that money elsewhere. Where I don’t know. I’ve not frittered it away. Maybe because I know what benefits it would have had, it just seems ridiculous that I didn’t.
“I thought I was doing well just taking out life insurance. It’s one positive thing and helped me a great deal in getting a financial position in life to know my wife and my boys are more secure. But how I wish I’d taken out that extra cover.”
Jonnie has defied doctors’ predictions after he was initially diagnosed in 2020. They said he had just six months to live at the time.
