A Place In The Sun's Jonnie Irwin thanks fans for overwhelming support

Watch: Jonnie Irwin wants to make the most of the time he has left

A Place In The Sun star Jonnie Irwin has thanks fans for their "overwhelming" support since he announced he has been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

The 48-year-old TV presenter and father-of-three — also known for hosting Escape To The Country —  recently revealed to Hello magazine he has terminal lung cancer which has spread to his brain, and was given six months to live by doctors.

Irwin told his 79k followers on Instagram: "Overwhelmed by your kind messages, not had the chance to read them all yet but I assure you I will. Yesterday I needed some headspace so I escaped to the country with my brother in law and his dog. It was a tonic."

Irwin revealed he was diagnosed in August 2020 after his vision went blurry while away filming Channel 4 property show A Place In The Sun.

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

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.

In his interview with Hello magazine Irwin revealed he has not told his young children about his illness.

Speaking about three-year-old Rex he said: “He doesn’t need to know yet.

“We make fun of my hair - he calls it my ‘spiky head’ - but as far as he’s concerned, his dad is normal and why would I shatter that innocence?”

The TV star 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."

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

He 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."

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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