Jonnie Irwin has revealed the key to his success amid his terminal cancer battle.
The 49-year-old presenter took to Instagram on Tuesday to share that he was heading on a family getaway to Costa del Sol after being discharged from hospital.
The A Place in The Sun star was diagnosed with terminal cancer after a tumour in his lung spread to his brain but has been allowed out of hospital while his liver function shows signs of improvement.
Filming himself inside the airport terminal, he told his followers: ‘I woke up this morning feeling a bit better, still slightly jaundice-y, but I’m about to jump on a flight to southern Spain.
‘I did clear it with with my oncologist, and he said, “Well, there are hospitals in Spain and in fairness, you don’t play by the rules anyway.” But my thoughts are, that’s probably part of my success so far!’
Speaking out: Jonnie Irwin shared the key to his success amid terminal cancer battle as he posted from the airport terminal on Tuesday ahead of jetting to the Costa del Sol for winter sun
Jonnie continued: ‘Hopefully my liver continues to get a bit better and me and my family, we wake up tomorrow, to blue skies in southern Spain… Bon voyage to us.’
He captioned his video: ‘Time for some current bun and a break from hospitals and builder and them a break from me!
‘Thankfully a mate needs somewhere to crash so there’s someone to keep an eye on everyone whilst I’m away as it’s a big week on site too. #livelifetothefull #sunshine #escape #costadelsol #mijas #holiday #livelife.’
Jonnie is planning to celebrate his milestone 50th birthday in Spain on Saturday, despite doctors believing he wouldn’t make it to 2023.
The star revealed last November that his cancer had spread from his lung to his brain after initially being diagnosed in 2020.
Yet Jonnie’s incredible strength also saw him make his twins third birthday back in June, a milestone medical professionals believed he would never see.
Last week, Jonnie was in hospital and being observed every four hours after having jaundice, fever and pains in his right hand side.
He was trying to remain optimistic as he said it was all part of the rollercoaster of life ahead of his birthday this coming Friday.
Fun in the sun: Jonnie jetted off with his wife Jessica Holmes and their children, Rex, four, and two-year-old twins Rafa and Cormac (pictured in January)
Jonnie posted a picture from his hospital bed on his Instagram and told fans: ‘Back in hospital – been in since Friday with Jaundice.
‘I had a fever and acute stabbing pain in my right hand side. Turns out I probably had an infection and otter issues which I won’t bore you with.’
He added: Been on drips, regular bloods taken and have observations every 4 ours through day and night.
‘Didn’t think I’d be watching @bbcmorninglive from a hospital bed but it’s just part of the roller coaster life that this illness throws at you.’
He went on: ‘I must admit I was especially touched by the birthday message from the the team for my birthday this coming Friday- thanks very much.
‘I have another scan today followed by a meeting with my oncologist so fingers crossed for positive news.’
Two weeks prior to Rafa and Cormac’s birthday, Jonnie weighed just six stone and was too weak to walk.
‘At my weakest point I thought, “This is it, this is the beginning of the end”,’ he told The Sun. ‘I couldn’t eat, I had incredible pain in my back and was just skin and bones.’
But Jonnie refused to give up, and after once he returned home to his family he began forcing himself out of bed, drinking protein shakes and spending hours in an oxygen tent in a bid to curb any growth of the disease.
With the help of treatment, including chemotherapy, he has now built his strength up and weighs 8st 6lb.
‘I won’t let cancer define me,’ he added.
Health woes: The A Place in The Sun presenter, 49, was diagnosed with terminal cancer after a tumour in his lung spread to his brain and was not expected to make it to 2023
