FIGHT TIL THE END
Courageous Jonnie Irwin posed in hospital gown for MRI scan in last picture just days before his heartbreaking death
The popular telly star bravely battled his illness for three-and-a-half years
A PLACE In The Sun star star Jonnie Irwin admitted he was exhausted as he posed for his final picture just days before his tragic death.
The courageous 50-year-old's death was announced on Instagram this evening.
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In a statement, his family wrote: "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 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."
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The post was accompanied by a picture of dad-of-three Jonnie and wife Jessica smiling on a motorcycle.
For 18 years Jonnie presented on Channel 4's A Place In The Sun, and the programme shared its grief in light of the news.
A statement read: "We are heartbroken. Jonnie was a much-loved part of the A Place In The Sun family and for more than 18 years be brought joy, wit and bundles of energy to the show.
"We will miss him terribly. Our thoughts today are with Jess and the boys and the rest of Jonnie's family."
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His co-star Jasmine Harman spoke in glowing terms of her late friend and her admiration for him.
She wrote: "Jonnie, you’ve taught me so much in our time as work colleagues and as good friends. I have never admired you more than over the last few years as you’ve faced life with cancer with positivity, determination and bloody mindedness. I’ve never known anyone as strong as you. You have done yourself, your loved ones and all of us proud.
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"The world is a little darker today without you, but I will always smile when I think of you. My partner in crime, my OG co-presenter – Jonnie, I will miss you."
Last week the Escape to the Country star shared a picture on Instagram of himself in hospital scrubs ahead of an MRI scan.
He explained: "This is look of a man who’s not slept for 6 nights and awaiting a full body MRI scan of at least an hour. If you haven’t had one they’re claustrophobic and claustrophobic and omit loud random noises. Joy.
"Take note on attempt of a jaunty not on my gown! I’m expecting to come out to news of India all out 195!"
In his final interview, Jonnie admitted he had been embracing alternative options in order to allow himself to feel "empowered" throughout his struggle with lung cancer.
Jane McLelland, the author behind How to Stave Cancer, had been giving Jonnie personal dietary advice in a bid to help aide him.
Opening up on how helpful Jane's advice had been, Jonnie said: "I just think the work you’re doing is so important because if I just listened to the prognosis I’m perennially given, I’d be curling up in a ball and crying myself to death.
"But I feel much more empowered and much more educated. There is a sphere of help and the help from the NHS is a massive part of that sphere, but there’s also bits and bobs that I can do.
"Check this out - I’m in there at least an hour a day and I’ve got to go in there later [a hyperbaric oxygen chamber]."
As part of his treatment regime, Jonnie said he was "doing Oxygen, vitamin C" in order to achieve enhanced benefits.
Podcast host Jane then interjected about the physical benefit of this practise: “Intravenous vitamin C, so it bypasses the gut and doesn’t cause diarrhoea."
The Channel 4 star said: “I feel great after it. I feel great after hyperbaric - I feel great after vitamin C.
"These things, if I was fit and well, I’d be trying to use them anyway because I’m so much more open minded probably because I’ve got a gun to my head. And it’s a rich kaleidoscope of help that I’m pursuing and I will continue to do that."
Jane went on to reveal why she thought it was important to introduce alternative methods and remedies and how they can work alongside traditional NHS prescribed therapies.
She said: "You’ve got to look into alternatives and you’ve got to do your own research.
"There’s always a misconception that anybody who’s providing information for a different form of treatment is encouraging people to leave conventional treatment.
"I’m very much ‘let’s just merge everything together - cocktails, combinations as you’ve mentioned already.
"We need to find the right cocktails and combinations and that’s really lacking in our current approach."
Jonnie defied the odds after he was given just six months to live in August 2020.
Following his diagnosis, the presenter spoke about his wish to spend as much time with his family as possible. He shares three-year-old twins Rafa and Cormac with wife Jess as well as their five-year-old son, Rex.
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Jonnie underwent treatment to prolong his life, and he recently shared a few snaps of him living life to the fullest.
This included enjoying a drink in his local pub and taking Rex to their local panto, which was Pinocchio. It “had Rex in stitches,” he commented afterwards on social media.
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