Jonnie Irwin has discussed his decision to not tell his children that he has terminal lung cancer.
The A Place In The Sun presenter, 49, went public with his diagnosis last November after being told his cancer had spread to his brain.
While he has been open in interviews and on social media about his health, the three sons he shares with wife Jessica Holmes do not know about his terminal condition.
Irwin has now opened up about his decision to keep Rex, four, and twins Rafa and Cormac, who turn three this month, in the dark, as part of a new interview with Hello! magazine ahead of Father’s Day.
“I keep being asked, ‘Are you going to tell them?’ But tell them what?” he told the publication.
Adding: “It would be horrible news that they’d have to get their heads around. And it would confuse the hell out of Rex – he’s got a shocking enough day coming. Let’s bury our heads in the sand for as long as possible.”
For now, Irwin and Holmes are trying to give their children a sense of normalcy by continuing to teach and play with them.
Holmes described the presenter as a “great dad and a big kid himself”, adding: “All the boys gravitate to him when they want to show off and get his attention. They’re aware that Jonnie needs his rest and can’t always jump up and play football for hours, but they’re more than happy snuggled up on the sofa, watching a movie.
“Story time is a big thing at bedtime and that is something I know Jonnie treasures with them.”
