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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Amy Denman & Sam Elliott-Gibbs

Jonnie Irwin's sister hails 'absolute fighter' brother as he makes powerful vow

Jonnie Irwin's proud sister has hailed her battler brother as an 'absolute fighter' as he continues to put on a brave face following his cancer diagnosis.

Amanda says she "doesn't know how he does it" as he vowed to make the most of every day that he's got left.

The former A Place In The Sun presenter, 49, was diagnosed in 2020 and was told last year the disease has tragically spread to his brain.

Jonnie spoke to the Mirror at the Television and Radio Industries Club Awards on Tuesday in London and was seen joking around with his pals.

Hitting the red carpet, he was joined by friends Jules Hudson, Sonali Shah and Nicki Chapman.

Jonnie Irwin could be seen joking around with pals yesterday (Instagram/jonnieirwintv)
The star continues to make the most of every day (David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)

Jonnie later shared an amusing clip from the occasion in view of his 179,000 Instagram followers.

At the event, which promotes goodwill in the television and radio industries, Jonnie could be seen partying away with his pals.

In the video, he pretended to look concerned as Jules posed to undo one of the top buttons of his shirt, before barrelling towards him in a big hug, quipping: “Delicious!”

“When @thejuleshudson unbuttons the ‘2nd button’ he’s simply irresistible…” Jonnie added cheekily in the caption.

In response, Jonnie’s sister Amanda told him: “How do you do it little bro! What an absolute fighter! #inspiration #proudsister.”

Proud dad Jonnie with his three young sons (INSTAGRAM)

He said that he is "taking every day as a gift and as it comes" while living life to the fullest with his three young sons and wife.

Speaking on Tuesday in London, he remained upbeat as he said: "Today is a good day. Yesterday I peeled myself out of bed and munched painkillers but so far so good today.

"I take every day as a gift and as it comes."

Jonnie previously spoke about how he felt "thrown on a scrap heap" by A Place In The Sun bosses after revealing his cancer diagnosis amid claims they couldn't insure him.

However, he told us that BBC's Escape To The Country - who he has worked on alongside Jules Hudson and Nicki Chapman - were like a "family" to him and supported him throughout his journey.

"With a notable exception from one production company, as soon as they found out they put their arm around me and, insurance provided, they looked for work when I could," he said. So any location that was anywhere near me I was first candidate for and they really helped me find work.

"They were understanding especially with travel arrangements. They were so supportive I can't thank them enough."

* Follow Mirror Celebs on Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter and Facebook .

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