Yahoo News Jonnie Irwin 'munches painkillers' to attend TRIC Awards but snubs A Place In The Sun
The 49-year-old TV presenter has terminal cancer but joined his Escape To The Country co-stars at the ceremony.
Jonnie Irwin has revealed he "munched painkillers" in order to attend the TRIC Awards with his Escape To The Country co-stars.
The TV presenter's former show A Place In The Sun won the gong for best daytime programme at the Television and Radio Industries Club event, but Irwin distanced himself from the Channel 4 crew.
The 49-year-old star told the Mirror: "Today is a good day. Yesterday I peeled myself out of bed and munched painkillers but so far so good today.
Read more: Jonnie Irwin felt like he'd been 'thrown on scrap heap' after revealing cancer diagnosis
"I take every day as a gift and as it comes."
Irwin has previously said he felt "massively aggrieved" about A Place In The Sun, after producers at the Channel 4 show said they could not insure him to work following his terminal cancer diagnosis.
Speaking at the TRIC Awards about the team at BBC's Escape To The Country he said: "With a notable exception from one production company, as soon as they found out they put their arm around me and, insurance provided, they looked for work when I could. So any location that was anywhere near me I was first candidate for and they really helped me find work.
"They were understanding especially with travel arrangements. They were so supportive I can't thank them enough. They are family. It's recognition for all the work that production, post production and crew all put in.
A Place In The Sun won best daytime programme at the 2023 TRIC Awards.
Irwin's friend and former colleague Jasmine Harman did not join the A Place In The Sun team at the ceremony to collect the award, but paid tribute to Irwin as she acknowledged the win on social media.
She wrote on Instagram, alongside a picture of herself and Irwin and a previous TRIC Awards ceremony: "Throwback to 2008 when @jonnieirwintv and I collected the TRIC award for best daytime programme.
"THRILLED to announce that today, A Place in the Sun was once again awarded this prestigious title; unfortunately I couldn’t be there as I’m away filming, but I am overflowing with gratitude to all the viewers and people who took the time to vote. Plus all of the incredible teams who pour their hearts into making the show what it is. Congratulations to everyone.
"BIG LOVE to all the other presenters and a personal shout out to my OG partner in crime, Jonnie. I especially want to tell you how much your contribution to the show over the years is enormously valued and you are very much loved."
Irwin has worked on Escape To The Country for almost 10 years. He was a member of the A Place In The Sun team fro 2004 but was axed after 18 years when he revealed to them he had cancer.
The TV presenter announced in November 2022 he has terminal lung cancer which has spread to his brain, and was given six months to live by doctors.
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 his family.
Read more: Jonnie Irwin kept cancer diagnosis a secret to keep working and be treated normally
Irwin was diagnosed in August 2020 after his vision went blurry while away filming Channel 4 property show A Place In The Sun. But he kept his diagnosis a secret for two years.
He has said he hopes others will learn from his mistake and take out critical illness insurance.
Watch: Jonnie Irwin explains why he kept cancer diagnosis a secret
