Jonnie Irwin has 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. The A Place In The Sun and Escape to the Country presenter, 49, was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in 2020, which has spread to his brain.
Speaking to the Mirror at the TRIC Awards on Tuesday in London, 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 said his Escape To The Country friends 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."
He added as he referred to the show's TRIC nomination: "They are family. It's recognition for all the work that production, post production and crew all put in.
"I've worked on Escape for coming up to ten years, but 20 years in the industry and I’ve had the most fun and its the most like a family of all the shows I've done.
“I’m hopeful that we will come away with something but it's a night out in London as well isn't it!? It's all good whatever happens really."
Jonnie was diagnosed two and a half years ago but said he kept it secret because he "had to pay the bills."
Opening up further about why he spoke out, Jonnie said: "As soon as I spoke out I felt I could breathe. I could talk to people about why I felt ill and why I was losing weight.
"I didn't have to answer Karens on Instagram saying 'You look ill' 'You don't look well.' 'You need a cooked meal.'
"I also wanted to show that because you have cancer it doesn't mean you are a different person. You can still work. Look at me now! I don't think the doctors were expecting me to make 2023 but here I am and I'm available at work. And I'm especially available to parties!"
The TRIC Awards, also known as the Television and Radio Industries Club Awards, are annual awards presented to individuals and programs in the British entertainment industry. The awards recognize excellence in television and radio broadcasting, as well as contributions to the fields of music, sports, and the arts.
The awards are voted for by TRIC members, making them a significant accolade within the industry.
The TRIC Awards cover various categories, including Best TV Personality, Best Soap Personality, Best Entertainment Programme, Best Drama Programme, and Best Digital Radio Personality, among others. They celebrate the diverse range of talent and programming that enriches the television and radio landscape in the United Kingdom.
