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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Entertainment
Lisa McLoughlin

Jonnie Irwin praised by fans for returning to work amid terminal cancer battle

Jonnie Irwin has received a flood of support from fans as he revealed he’s continuing to work despite his terminal cancer diagnosis.

The presenter, 49, was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2020, but only went public with the diagnosis last November after being told that it had spread to his brain.

Despite previously being told that he may only have months to live, the A Place In The Sun star revealed he has been working with a company on a new video series to help those undergoing home renovations.

Taking to Instagram, Irwin shared a clip of him meeting with a couple named Howard and Jade who were looking for advice on worktops for their kitchen.

Captioning the post, he wrote: “If you’re not happy with the worktop choice offered by the developer you can source one yourself – that’s what this couple did so I went to have a nose!…”

The company, Mayfair Worktops, confirmed in a post that the TV presenter was “back”, before adding: “Not that he ever really went away”.

In the comments underneath his post, Irwin received high praise for the way in which he’s still persevering with his work in light of his terminal diagnosis.

One commented: “You are absolutely amazing, the way you carry yourself with everything you are going through is inspiring.”

“Wow what an amazing man, trying your best to give your family everything you can,” another remarked.

A third added: “That’s it Jonnie, keep going and doing what you do best, don’t ever give up.”

“Great to see you working, you are my favourite presenter on Escape to the Country,” another follower shared. “I am so sorry for everything that you’re going through.

“You are a fantastic family man and such an inspiration to us all. Love you Jonnie.”

His social media update comes almost a week after he detailed his hospice experience and discussed the importance of palliative care.

Speaking on BBC Morning Live, Irwin told Helen Skelton and Gethin Jones: “I’m really good, I have up days and down days but today is an up day. Family are great and very noisy.”

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, and if you have the choice to use it then use it.”

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