A Place in the Sun’s Jonnie Irwin dies aged 50 after cancer battle as tributes flood in

Jonnie Irwin has sadly died at the age of 50 following a gruelling battle with terminal lung cancer.

The A Place in the Sun presenter, 50, was diagnosed with lung cancer back in 2020. The cancer tragically spread to his brain and was initially told he had just six months left to live.

On Friday (February 2), his family took to his Instagram account to break the devastating news to his fans and colleagues. They shared a snap of the presenter on a moped with his wife Jessica Holmes on holiday.

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They captioned it: “In Loving Memory [star emoji] It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Jonnie’s passing. 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. [dove emoji, heart emoji].” A Place in the Sun, which the TV star presented on for 18 years, took to Instagram to share its grief following the announcement.

The statement read: “We are heartbroken. Jonnie was a much-loved part of the A Place In The Sun family and for more than 18 years be brought joy, wit and bundles of energy to the show.

“We will miss him terribly. Our thoughts today are with Jess and the boys and the rest of Jonnie’s family.” Jonnie was born in 1973 and grew up on a small farm in the heart of the little village Bitteswell, Leicestershire.

Jonnie’s fellow A Place in the Sun host Jasmine Harman shared an emotional tribute of her own. She declared that the world is a “little darker today” without Jonnie around.

Sharing fond memories of him, she wrote: “I will always remember the first time I heard your name. When I was doing a screen test for a new show, they said “we definitely want Jonnie, but we need to find another presenter”. I wondered who this mysterious Jonnie was. We met in Cape Town, filming the pilot. You we’re so charismatic and energetic, so confident and fun. I understood immediately why they had to have you.

“Your cheeky-chappy persona and naughty sense of humour always broke the ice and made people laugh. Everyone warmed to you and you had the incredible ability to connect with people, making them feel like they’d known you for years.

“To begin our TV careers together was a pleasure and a privilege I will be eternally grateful for. Almost twenty years ago, as two nervous new presenters (me perhaps more nervous than you!) little did we know about the adventure we were about to embark on, and the friends we would become.

“Professionally, you were well suited to life in front of the lens. But for years, you always talked about wanting to settle down and become a dad. Your wish was granted when you met Jess. Never were you happier than in your role as husband and Dad to the most awesome three boys – you are a legend.

Jasmine added: “Jonnie, you’ve taught me so much in our time as work colleagues and as good friends. I have never admired you more than over the last few years as you’ve faced life with cancer with positivity, determination and bloody mindedness. I’ve never known anyone as strong as you. You have done yourself, your loved ones and all of us proud.”

Laura Hamilton also paid tribute, writing: “Without doubt one of the best… Funny, intelligent, kind hearted, one of a kind, Jonnie you will forever be missed. Hamo xxx”

He attended Birmingham City University where he earned a degree in Estate Management. The real estate agent kickstarted his career at business transfer specialists Christie & Co where he became an associate director after just three years.

In 2004, the presenter was selected amongst the thousands of applicants to present A Place in The Sun. He starred in more than 200 episodes helping British house hunters find their dream home abroad.

It catapulted the broadcaster to new heights, as he went on to front BBC property shows including Escape to the Country and To Buy or Not To Buy. He also presented Escape to the Perfect Town and Sky One show Dream Loves for Sale in 2011.

The housing programme saw him help people leave their lives behind in the UK to set up a business overseas. Despite his career in TV, Jonnie still worked as an adviser to clients on business and property in addition to running a consultancy agency.

In his limited free time, he wrote a regular column for A Place in the Sun magazine and gave presentations at the show’s live events. But his life was turned upside down when he was diagnosed with cancer.

At the time, Jonnie claimed TV bosses dropped him from the hugely popular Channel 4 show. Speaking to The Sun, he revealed that Freeform Productions “paid me off for the rest of the season and didn’t renew my contract” after the company claimed they could not get insurance.

Jonnie revealed the first warning signs for his cancer appeared in 2020 when his vision went blurry while driving. He said within a week of flying back from Italy he was told he had six months to live.

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Jonnie underwent chemotherapy and shared the news with his wife. He said: “Within a week of flying back from filming, I was being given six months to live.

“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. All I could do was apologise to her. I felt so responsible.” Jonnie married Jessica in September 2016 and the couple share their three sons – four-year-old Rex and three-year-old twins Rafa and Cormac.

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk