Yahoo News Jonnie Irwin enjoys family holiday in Spain ahead of his 50th birthday celebrations
Jonnie Irwin has jetted off to Spain as he prepares to celebrate his 50th
Jonnie Irwin has flown to sunny Spain on a family holiday, just days before his 50th birthday.
The former A Place In The Sun presenter - who is in palliative care for incurable lung cancer - revealed doctors told him "You don't play by the rules" when he asked them if he could travel abroad in spite of his ill health.
Irwin - who will celebrate his 50th birthday on Saturday 18th November - shared a video on Instagram of himself at the airport as he prepared to catch flight with wife Jess and their three sons Rex, Rafa and Cormac.
He said: "Well, I woke up this morning feeling a bit better. I'm still slightly jaundice but I'm about to jump on a flight to Southern Spain.
"I did clear it with my oncologist, he said, 'Well, there are hospitals in Spain and in fairness, you don't play by the rules anyway'.
"But my thoughts are that's probably part of my success so far. So fingers crossed my liver continues to get a bit better and me and my family, we wake up tomorrow morning to blue skies in Southern Spain.
"Bon voyage to us."
The Escape To The Country star was recently discharged from hospital after being diagnosed with jaundice.
He is currently renovating his family home in Newscastle-Upon-Tyne.
He captioned the video post: "Time for some current bun and a break from hospitals and builder and them a break from me! Thankfully a mate needs somewhere to crash so there’s someone to keep an eye on everyone whilst I’m away as it’s a big week on site too. #livelifetothefull #sunshine #escape #costadelsol #mijas #holiday #livelife"
Early birthday party
Irwin has previously revealed he did not think he would reach his 50th birthday.
He recently told The Sun: “I never thought I’d be here. I’m really looking forward to some time with [wife] Jess and the boys.”
He has defied doctors by extending his life using experimental therapies and diet, and was not expected to still be alive in 2023.
The TV star even celebrated his 50th birthday early, in March 2023, with a big party for 170 friends and family.
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."
Catching up with old friends
Irwin's former A Place In The Sun co-star Jasmine Harman recently revealed to Hello magazine how she and her family have moved to Spain.
The pair remain close friends since Irwin left the show after going public with his cancer diagnosis and they caught up in September at the A Place In The Sun Live Show.
Irwin kept his diagnosis a secret diagnosis a secret for two years because he feared losing his job.
He was a member of the A Place In The Sun team for 18 years, from 2004.
When he revealed he had terminal cancer to producers, he was axed from Channel 4 holiday property show because he was told they were unable to insure him to work.
Hospital admission
Irwin was given six months to live by doctors back in 2020 when he was diagnosed with incurable lung cancer which has spread to his brain.
Since going public with his diagnosis in November 2022 he has continued to live life to the fullest, making memories with his wife Jess and their children four-and-a-half-year-old Rex and three-year-old twins Rafa and Cormac.
Making memories
Irwin has been determined to make the most of the time he has left.
He recently revealed his family's 'special place' for spending quality time together on a Sunday afternoon.
Irwin also told how he had pushed through his chest infection to enjoy an outing to pick pumpkins with his family.
And the TV presenter said he was experiencing "proper dad vibes" after taking his children swimming.
Since announcing his diagnosis he has updated fans about how he is making the most of time with his family.
Irwin took his kids to a monster truck show and enjoyed a dinosaur sleepover with them.
They have enjoyed a family day out to a wildlife park in Yorkshire, a staycation at the beach in Northumberland, and a relaxing stay at a four star hotel in Worcestershire.
The property expert admitted in June that he has not yet told his children that he has a terminal diagnosis.
But he has been preparing messages for his sons to read in years to come.
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