GOODNIGHT JONNIE
Jonnie Irwin dead aged 50: A Place in the Sun star dies after gruelling cancer battle
Jonnie was told he had just months to live last year
A PLACE in the Sun presenter Jonnie Irwin has died aged 50 after enduring a gruelling battle with lung cancer.
Jonnie, 50, was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2020 - a week after filming the popular show in Italy.
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Tragically, the cancer spread to his brain and in 2022 Jonnie revealed he had just six months to live.
Today his family revealed he has passed away.
A statement posted on Instagram reads: “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.”
Jonnie was born in 1973 and grew up on a small farm in the village of Bitteswell, Leicestershire.
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He attended Birmingham City University where he gained a degree in Estate Management.
Jonnie began his career at business transfer specialists Christie & Co where he became an associate director after just three years.
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In 2004, he was selected among thousands of applicants to present A Place in the Sun on Channel 4.
He filmed over 200 episodes as he helped British house hunters achieve their dream of buying a place abroad.
The gig helped put Jonnie on the presenting map and he went on to front BBC property shows Escape to the Country and To Buy or Not to Buy.
He also hosted Escape to the Perfect Town and Sky1 show Dream Lives for Sale in 2011, which saw him help people leave their lives in the UK behind to set up a business.
Despite his glittering career in TV, Jonnie still worked as an adviser to clients on business and property and ran a consultancy agency.
He also wrote a regular column for A Place in the Sun magazine and gave presentations at the show's live events.
But after he was diagnosed with cancer, Jonnie claimed bosses dropped him from the show.
He told The Sun that Freeform Productions "paid me off for the rest of the season and didn't renew my contract" after the company claimed they could not get insurance.
Jonnie added: "I've been a presenter, then I wasn't a presenter for A Place in the Sun after 18 years. And then I turn the TV on, and there's someone else doing my job.
"To have that taken away, to have that wage taken away, to have that to have that purpose taken away, if having cancer wasn't bad enough, I was really low.
"That really affected me. I can't even watch the show now.
Jonnie leaves behind wife Jess, his eldest son Rex, and twins Rafa and Cormac, born in June 2020.
He told The Sun of his sorrow at not being able to see his children grow up.
He said in March: “I think they’re not going to remember me, they’re really not.
“They’re too young and if I die this year there’s no chance they will have memories. And someone else is going to bring them up.
“I’ve done the hard yards with them and someone else will get the easy bit.”
WARNING SIGNS
Jonnie also told how the first warning signs for his cancer came in 2020 when his vision went blurry during filming.
He said within a week of flying back from Italy, he was told he had six months to live.
Jonnie underwent chemotherapy to help prolong the prognosis as he opened up on telling his wife he was dying.
He said: "Within a week of flying back from filming, I was being given six months to live.
"I had to go home and tell my wife, who was looking after our babies, that she was on her own pretty much.
"That was devastating. All I could do was apologise to her. I felt so responsible."
Jonnie married Jessica in September 2016 and the couple lived in Newcastle with their three sons.
Speaking to The Sun in March 2023, Jonnie said he had become increasingly "weak" and was left exhausted after playing football with oldest son Rex.
The former rugby player said he always felt “sporty” but was growing increasingly frustrated at how weak he has become.
LUNG CANCER SYMPTOMS
Experts at Cancer Research UK warn there are nine common symptoms of the disease.
- Having a cough most of the time
- Having a change in a cough you have had for a long time - it may sound different or be painful when you cough
- Getting out of breath doing the things you used to do without a problem
- Coughing up phlegm (sputum) with blood in it
- Having an ache or pain in the chest or shoulder
- Chest infections that keep coming back or a chest infection that doesn't get better
- Losing your appetite
- Feeling tired all the time (fatigue)
- Losing weight
Jonnie also recently threw an extravagant early 50th birthday party for himself with guests including co-star Jasmine Harman and ex-England cricketer Andrew Caddick.
He said: "It was a great night. I chose a playlist with some great tunes from the 90s and 2000s and people came from all over the country and abroad.
“I didn’t know the extent of the loyalty and generosity that my friends would exhibit. I’ve been dumbfounded and spellbound by their support, as well as that of our families, who have been amazing.
“I just wanted to do something to celebrate my birthday and had no idea how many people would actually turn up. It was incredible.”
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A spokesperson for A Place in the Sun said: "We are heartbroken. Jonnie was a much loved part of the A Place in the Sun family and for more than 18 years he 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."
INSTAGRAM STATEMENT IN FULL
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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