Amanda Lamb is 'beyond heartbroken' over Jonnie Irwin's terminal cancer diagnosis

Amanda Lamb is "beyond heartbroken" over her former co-star Jonnie Irwin's terminal cancer diagnosis.

The ex-'A Place in the Sun' presenter - who hosted the show from 2001 until 2009 - admitted she "can't bear" what the TV star is going through, and she has reached out to him.

She said: "One of the things I love about Jonnie is how he is tackling it with such dignity. I love the fact he is doing all these experiences and he is going to all these places. I hope he gets to see many more.

"But it's horrific and I can't bear it. He is such a gorgeous human being and it's beyond heart-breaking. Life is so unfair. I've sent a message to Jonnie. He knows how loved he is but – rightly - he needs to focus on his immediate family now."

Amanda believes it is important for people to know others are there "if you need them" during such a tough time.

She added to the Daily Express newspaper: "I think when you are going through anything whether it's a bereavement, divorce, or a monumental occasion in your life, it is very important to know you are loved but also to know people are there if you need them."

In November, former 'A Place in the Sun' presenter Jonnie told how he kept his terminal cancer diagnosis a secret over fears he might lose work if TV bosses discovered he was dying.

The 49-year-old TV presenter insisted he needs to put "food on the table" for his wife Jess, three-year-old son Rex and two-year-old twins Cormac and Rafa, but says producers are quick to "write you off" when they find out about his diagnosis.

He said: "As soon as people find out you’ve got cancer they write you off. Yes, I have stage four and it’s terminal - but not yet, so let me live my life while I can.

"Yes, I’m a family man and I need to put a roof over our heads and food on the table but work is something that’s really important to me. It also stops me thinking about cancer."

Jonnie also claims 'A Place in the Sun' didn't renew his contract after finding out about his diagnosis, despite him wanting to carry on with the show.

He said: "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. I feel hugely let down. I can’t even watch the show now."

However, Channel 4 have claimed production company Freeform were not able to "secure adequate insurance" to cover Jonnie.

A statement from Channel 4 and production company Freeform said: "No stone was left unturned in trying to enable Jonnie to continue his international filming with us during COVID but the production company were unable to secure adequate insurance cover for him.

"We, of course, understand how frustrating this must be for him at this incredibly difficult time."