TV Host and writer for A Place in the Sun magazine, Jonnie Irwin revealed he is battling terminal cancer, which has spread to his brain.
The “Escape to the Country” host spoke out for the first time about his lung cancer diagnosis. He told fans he had initially opted to keep his battle private, but has since decided to notify his fans about the severity of his battle in an effort to get “the monkey off my back,” Irwin said during a recent interview with Hello Magazine. “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, according to Hello Magazine.
Jonnie Irwin Says He Hasn’t Told His Kids He Has Terminal Cancer: ‘Why Shatter That Innocence?’ https://t.co/3j7AAqkbuA
— People (@people) November 16, 2022
Irwin spoke about the heartache he feels at the thought of leaving his family behind. He and his wife share a three year old son named Rex, and two-year-old twins Rafa and Cormac, according to Hello Magazine. “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.
Irwin revealed that his first health-related warning sign occurred while he was in Italy in August 2020 filming “A Place in the Sun.” He said his vision suddenly went blurry while he was driving, which prompted him to investigate further.
“Within a week of flying back from filming, I was being given six months to live,” Irwin said.
“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,” he said, according to Hello Magazine.
“All I could do was apologize to her. I felt so responsible,” Irwin said.(RELATED: ‘Undoubtedly The Scariest Week Of My Life’: Rachel Zegler Discusses Her Breast Cancer Scare)
Place in the Sun presenter Jonnie Irwin reveals he has terminal cancer https://t.co/dpCqbuWncV
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) November 14, 2022
Cancer drugs and chemotherapy have reportedly helped to prolong Irwin’s life. He has continued to work through his illness and is hoping his story will help motivate others. “I might inspire people who are living with life-limiting prospects to make the most of every day; to help them see that you can live a positive life, even though you are dying,” Irwin said.
“One day, this is going to catch up with me, but I’m doing everything I can to hold that day off for as long as possible. I owe that to Jess and our boys,” he said.
“Some people in my position have bucket lists, but I just want us to do as much as we can as a family,” Irwin told Hello Magazine.