British television star Jonnie Irwin has died with terminal cancer, aged 50.
The legacy of the beloved presenter from Escape to the Country and A Place in the Sun was remembered by his family, who on Saturday morning confirmed the death on his social media account.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Jonnie Irwin’s heartbreaking interview.
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Irwin was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2020, which eventually spread to his brain. He first shared the health news in 2022, but last week sparked concern among fans when he revealed he hadn’t slept for a week.
“It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Jonnie’s passing,” the statement posted to Irwin’s social media account said on Saturday.
“A truly remarkable soul, he fought bravely against cancer with unwavering strength and courage. Jonnie touched the lives of so many with his kindness, warmth, and infectious spirit.”
“At this time, we kindly ask for the privacy of Jonnie’s family as they navigate through this profound loss. Their grief is immeasurable, and your thoughts, prayers, and support are deeply appreciated.
“As we remember the beautiful moments shared with Jonnie, let us celebrate a life well-lived and a legacy that will forever be etched in our hearts. Jonnie may be gone from our sight, but his love, laughter, and memories will live on.
“Rest in peace, dear Jonnie. You will be dearly missed, but never forgotten.”
The sad news was followed with an outpouring of grief and love from other media personalities, fans, and friends, family and colleagues who shared their memories of him.
“A true legend,” A Place in the Sun presenter Lucy Alexander wrote.
UK media personality Matt Evers said: “Absolutely heartbroken”.
“Had the pleasure of meeting Jonnie at Boundless West whilst working on Escape. Genuinely, the kindest man — always had time for you even if we were just the guys in tech support,” a former colleague wrote.
“He was an absolute legend in every way, I have special memories of spending many afternoons playing cricket and eating cake together,” a friend wrote.
Another said: “Thank you, Johnnie for the gift of your life! Your genuine nature and love of your family will live on.”
The end of a battle
News of Irwin’s death follows a social media post last week of the star in a hospital gown, and regular posts about how living with cancer affected him and his wife and their three children.
“This is the look of a man who’s not slept for 6 nights and awaiting a full body MRI scan of at least an hour,” he wrote last week.
“If you haven’t had one, they’re claustrophobic and emit loud, random noises. Joy.
“Take note (of) attempt of a jaunty knot on my gown!”
With trademark humour, he finished off with a cricket reference.
“I’m expecting to come out to news of India all out 195!” he said.
The post was hashtagged #alwaystrying, #mri and #livingwithcancer.
He earlier shared details of the journey with cancer in an interview with Hello magazine in 2022.
“I don’t know how long I have left,” Irwin said.
The presenter said he has shifted his mentality from assuming he will not be well enough for certain milestones to instead setting “little markers” of moments he wants 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 went on to share the warning signs he experienced along with the hopes he has for others, that people will “make the most of every day”.
The TV star was in Italy filming A Place in the Sun when he experienced blurry vision while driving.
“Within a week of flying back from filming, I was being given six months to live,” he said.
Despite the initial prognosis, treatment, including chemotherapy, has helped prolong Irwin’s life and after two years of living with cancer, he wished to share his story beyond the “very small group of friends and family” who knew.
He said he hoped to 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.”
“One day, this is going to catch up with me,” Irwin said when going public with his cancer news.
“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.
“Some people in my position have bucket lists, but I just want us to do as much as we can as a family.”
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