A Place In The Sun's Jonnie Irwin, 48, diagnosed with terminal cancer

A Place In The Sun star Jonnie Irwin has been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer which has spread to his brain.

The 48-year-old TV presenter and father-of-three - also known for hosting Escape To The Country - was diagnosed in August 2020 after his vision went blurry while away filming Channel 4 property show A Place In The Sun.

Irwin told Hello magazine: "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."

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Chemotherapy and cancer drugs have helped extend the initial prognosis and the TV presenter is determined to make the most of any time he has left with wife Jess, 40, and their three sons Rex, three, and two-year-old twins Rafa and Cormac.

He said: "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.

"I set little markers – things I want to be around for. I got into the habit of saying: 'Don't plan ahead because I might not be well enough.' But now I want to make plans. I want to make memories and capture these moments with my family because the reality is, my boys are going to grow up not knowing their dad and that breaks my heart."

Irwin said he had kept his diagnosis a "dirty secret" for two years and it had felt like a "monkey on my back".

The TV star hopes by speaking out he might help inspire other people living with a terminal diagnosis "to make the most of every day" and feel "you can live a positive life, even though you are dying."

He also encouraged others to take out life insurance as it gave him comfort to know his wife and sons would be supported financially after he is gone.

A Place In The Sun co-star Jasmine Harman commented in Instagram: "Words can’t fix much, but what lovely words of support you have had here Jonnie. I know you know this already, but I am here for you my dear friend, and Jess and the boys. So, so brave. Sending lots of love speak soon, Jx."

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Escape To The Country's Nicki Chapman said: "Love you guys so much."

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