The reason why Jonnie Irwin kept his lung cancer diagnosis a secret for two years has been revealed.
The A Place In The Sun star confirmed in November his cancer had spread to his brain after first being diagnosed with the disease in 2020. He passed away on Friday at the age of 50.
Jonnie told how the reason why he kept his battle with cancer a secret for two years was to ‘pay the bills’ and look after his family.
He said: ‘The only reason I kept it secret is because I’ve got to earn, I’ve got to feed my babies, pay the bills.
‘And as soon as you say you’ve got cancer, people just write you off.
The reason why Jonnie Irwin kept his lung cancer diagnosis a secret for two years has been revealed
Jonnie told how the reason why he kept his battle with cancer a secret for two years was to ‘pay the bills’ and look after his family
‘I had to live with it as a secret. It was really difficult living with such a massive cloud above me and pretending to everyone else.
‘For the first year and a half I could work. Unfortunately, one of the companies claimed they couldn’t insure and didn’t renew my contract. It left a massive hole in my income.
‘I felt like I’d been thrown on the scrapheap. They’d recruited within a week and then I could see some else doing my job.’
He told The Sun: ‘As soon as I told A Place in the Sun about my diagnosis they paid me for the rest of the season but didn’t renew my contract.
‘They knew I wanted to carry on. That hurt. That broke my heart.’
When approached for comment, Channel 4 said at the time ‘no stone was left unturned’ to find a way for Jonnie to stay but they could not get insurance.
The host said it was when he was hiding from photoshoots and taking selfies with fans that he decided to speak out about his terminal diagnosis.
He said: ‘The day came when I decided I’m going to tell the world and I just thought as well I might get some money for the family.
He said: ‘The only reason I kept it secret is because I’ve got to earn, I’ve got to feed my babies, pay the bills. And as soon as you say you’ve got cancer, people just write you off’
Taking to Instagram, Jessica described her beloved partner, with whom she shares sons Rex, five, and two-year-old twins Rafa and Cormac, as ‘truly remarkable’
‘It’s been a massive weight off my shoulders. The day I came out and told the world I have terminal cancer is the day I started living again. I started being Jonnie Irwin again.
‘I actually feel alive.’
Jonnie’s wife Jessica described her beloved partner, with whom she shares sons Rex, five, and two-year-old twins Rafa and Cormac, as ‘truly remarkable’.
In a statement announcing his death, she said: ‘In Loving Memory. It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Jonnie’s passing.
‘A truly remarkable soul, he fought bravely against cancer with unwavering strength and courage. Jonnie touched the lives of so many with his kindness, warmth, and infectious spirit.
‘At this time, we kindly ask for the privacy of Jonnie’s family as they navigate through this profound loss. Their grief is immeasurable, and your thoughts, prayers, and support are deeply appreciated.
‘As we remember the beautiful moments shared with Jonnie, let us celebrate a life well-lived and a legacy that will forever be etched in our hearts.
Jonnie celebrated his 50th birthday in November and said he felt ‘really privileged’ to mark the milestone after doctors had given him six months to live two years earlier
Jonnie revealed he had a birthday party earlier in the year as he ‘didn’t think he’d make it’ to the big day
Just weeks before his death, Jonnie shared a photo of him and his son Rex on Instagram as he marked the New Year amid his cancer battle
In December he took Rex to enjoy the pantomime ahead of his final Christmas with his family
‘Jonnie may be gone from our sight, but his love, laughter, and memories will live on.
‘Rest in peace, dear Jonnie. You will be dearly missed, but never forgotten.’
Jessica later took to her own account to share a snap of her late husband beaming and confessed to wishing this devastating day would never come.
She wrote: ‘Goodnight my favourite. Thank you for everything. I will always love you. The hardest day has come, a day I prayed wouldn’t come. It’s with all the the sadness in the world that I confirm Jonnie has passed away earlier today.
‘His magical brain that continued to fight to the end has now gone to sleep. He has given me more than I could ever have wished for, 8 bonkers years of love and adventure and 3 amazing boys’.
‘I will continue to make you proud but only with your love still finding me and guiding me for the rest of my life, me and the boys still need you. Jonnie you really were the most handsome man I ever knew and I am so sorry for this cruel end.’
‘It really wasn’t fair and you didn’t deserve any of this. You gave so much time to others and touched everyone you met, I have never experienced anything like the effect you had on people. I love you so much and forever proud of you xxx’.
It has been revealed that Jonnie and Jess kept his terminal cancer battle a secret from his three sons.
It has been revealed that Jonnie and Jess kept his terminal cancer battle a secret from his three sons (pictured in November 2023)
Just before Father’s Day 2023, Jonnie revealed his and Jessica’s decision to not tell his young children that he was dying.
He reasoned that the information would be too complex for his young children to process and understand.
Jonnie hoped that keeping his kids none-the-wiser would mean the family could create more happy memories together.
Jonnie told Hello! at the time: ‘I keep being asked: ‘Are you going to tell them?’ but tell them what?
‘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.’
From Lutterworth to Lanzarote: How former estate agent Jonnie Irwin’s TV career took off after he beat hundreds to present A Place in the Sun
TV presenter Jonnie Irwin has revealed he is suffering with terminal cancer, saying he hopes sharing his terminal cancer diagnosis will inspire others to ‘make the most of every day’
Born in 1973, Jonnie Irwin grew up in Bitteswell, Leicestershire, and attended Lutterworth Grammar School and Community College before becoming an estate agent.
In 2004, Irwin was selected from hundreds of applicants alongside co-presenter Jasmine Harman to present Channel 4’s show A Place In The Sun – Home Or Away. The property programme was a surprise hit and syndicated widely. Irwin also regularly presents the BBC’s Escape To The Country and To Buy Or Not To Buy.
In January 2011, Sky 1 broadcast Irwin’s own show called Dream Lives for Sale, in which he helped people leave their lives in the UK in order buy their dream business.
Later that year, he started a new series The Renovation Game which aired on weekday mornings on Channel 4.
Outside of presenting, he is also a commercial director for Judicare, which describes itself as a ‘specialist law firm providing clients with legal advice on all matters related to overseas property’.
Irwin married Jessica Holmes in September 2016. Together they have three sons and lived in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire before moving to Newcastle.
On November 13, Irwin was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. He told Hello magazine: ‘I don’t know how long I have left, but I try to stay positive and my attitude is that I’m living with cancer, not dying from it.’
