A Place in The Sun’s Jonnie Irwin has tragically lost his battle with lung cancer aged 50, his wife Jessica Holmes announced in a heartbreaking tribute on Friday.
Taking to Instagram, Jessica described her beloved partner, with whom she shares sons Rex, five, and two-year-old twins Rafa and Cormac, as ‘truly remarkable’.
TV host Jonnie revealed in November his cancer had spread to his brain after first being diagnosed with the disease in 2020. He passed away on Friday.
Sharing a sweet snap of her and Jonnie to his account, the tribute read: ‘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’.
A Place in The Sun’s Jonnie Irwin has tragically lost his battle with lung cancer aged 50, his wife Jessica Holmes announced in a heartbreaking tribute on Friday
Sharing a sweet snap of her and Jonnie to his account, the tribute read: ‘It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Jonnie’s passing
‘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’.
Jessica later took to her own account to share a snap of her late husband beaming and confessed to wishing this devastating day would never come.
She wrote: ‘Goodnight my favourite. Thank you for everything. I will always love you. The hardest day has come, a day I prayed wouldn’t come. It’s with all the the sadness in the world that I confirm Jonnie has passed away earlier today.
‘His magical brain that continued to fight to the end has now gone to sleep. He has given me more than I could ever have wished for, 8 bonkers years of love and adventure and 3 amazing boys’.
‘I will continue to make you proud but only with your love still finding me and guiding me for the rest of my life, me and the boys still need you. Jonnie you really were the most handsome man I ever knew and I am so sorry for this cruel end.’
‘It really wasn’t fair and you didn’t deserve any of this. You gave so much time to others and touched everyone you met, I have never experienced anything like the effect you had on people. I love you so much and forever proud of you xxx’.
The TV host revealed in November his cancer had spread to his brain after first being diagnosed with the disease in 2020 (pictured with wife Jessica in 2023)
The late TV host and his wife share sons Rex, four, and two-year-old twins Rafa and Cormac (pictured in 2023)
Jessica later took to her own account to share a snap of her late husband beaming and confessed to wishing this devastating day would never come
Writing: ‘Goodnight my favourite. Thank you for everything. I will always love you. The hardest day has come, a day I prayed wouldn’t come. It’s with all the the sadness in the world that I confirm Jonnie has passed away earlier today’
Jonnie’s former A Place In The Sun co-presenter Jasmine Harman led the tributes and shared some heartfelt words on social media.
Sharing a picture of them looking off towards a sunset, she penned: ‘Jonnie Irwin – 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 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.
His former A Place In The Sun co-presenter Jasmine Harman led tributes and shared some heartfelt words on social media
She shared a snap of them looking off into the sunset with a tribute
She penned: ‘Jonnie Irwin – I will always remember the first time I heard your name’
Bosses of Jonnie’s television show A Place In The Sun shared a tribute on Instagram
Fellow television presenter Nicki Chapman also paid tribute to Jonnie
Former Escape to the Country host Sonali Shah wrote: ‘I feel so lucky to have known Jonnie. Sending you love xxx’
Rob Unsworth, Head of BBC Daytime and Early Peak Commissioning said: ‘Jonnie Irwin was an extraordinary man and wonderful presenter. He brought such warmth and fun to Escape to the Country’ (Jonnie pictured on Escape to The Country in 2023)
The Tv host made a surprise return to the series amid his cancer battle
‘Life is simply not fair. We can’t reason with it; there are no answers to the question Why?
‘We can, in your memory learn to cherish every hug, every conversation, every moment, for the priceless time we have. Enjoy every breath, every sunrise and sunset, never take anything for granted, because tomorrow is not promised.
‘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.
‘The world is a little darker today without you, but I will always smile when I think of you. My partner in crime, my OG co-presenter – Jonnie, I will miss you.’
Fellow television presenter Nicki Chapman also paid tribute to Jonnie.
In the comments section under Jessica’s post, the Wanted Down Under host wrote: ‘Heartbroken. Sending love to Jess & the family.’
Former Escape to the Country host Sonali Shah also wrote: ‘I feel so lucky to have known Jonnie. Sending you love xxx.’
Bosses of Jonnie’s television show A Place In The Sun shared a tribute on Instagram.
Under a picture of the broadcaster, a message read: ‘Jonnie Irwin 1973 – 2024. We are heartbroken. Jonnie was a much-loved part of the A Place in the Sun family for more than 18 years – he brought joy, wit and bundles of energy to the show.
‘We will miss him terribly. Our thoughts are with Jess and the boys ad the rest of the family.’
In his last social media post last month, Jonnie revealed he hasn’t slept for six nights in a row as he gave an update on his health from hospital
The presenter was at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital for a full MRI scan and he looked exhausted as he shared a picture on Instagram from hospital revealed his anxiety of having the full body scan due to it being claustrophobic
Jonnie found fame as the host of Channel 4’s property show A Place In The Sun (pictured) and presented over 200 episodes between 2004-2021
Rob Unsworth, Head of BBC Daytime and Early Peak Commissioning said: ‘Jonnie Irwin was an extraordinary man and wonderful presenter. He brought such warmth and fun to Escape to the Country, where he was a firm favourite with not just viewers, but the production team too.
‘More recently, he did some truly inspirational reports for Morning Live about his illness, tackling taboos around end of life care, and wonderfully demonstrating the limitless positivity that he brought to everything he did.
‘His kindness will be hugely missed by everyone he worked with, and we are sending all of our thoughts to his family and friends at this sad time.’
John Comerford, Head of Naked West and Executive Producer, Escape to the Country said: ‘We are incredibly saddened to hear the news about Jonnie.
‘He has been at the very heart of Escape to the Country for 14 years and will be a huge loss to our production team and all the viewers who have loved watching him on the show.
‘Jonnie was clever, warm and funny, never short of a mischievous and insightful line and always put the programme’s contributors at ease. All the teams he worked with loved him.
‘He is an unimaginable loss to the Escape family. We send our love and heartfelt condolences to Jess and his beautiful boys.’
In his last social media post last month, Jonnie revealed he hadn’t slept for six nights in a row as he gave an update on his health from hospital.
The presenter was at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital for a full MRI scan and he looked exhausted as he shared a picture on Instagram from hospital revealed his anxiety of having the full body scan due to it being claustrophobic.
He celebrated his 50th birthday in November and said he felt ‘really privileged’ to mark the milestone after doctors had given him six months to live two years earlier
Jonnie revealed he had a birthday party earlier in the year as he ‘didn’t think he’d make it’ to the big day
Just weeks before his death, Jonnie shared a photo of him and his son Rex on Instagram as he marked the New Year amid his cancer battle
In December he took Rex to enjoy the pantomime ahead of his final Christmas with his family
He also revealed in December that he had been using an electric physiotherapy machine to help build up his leg muscles
Jonnie said: ‘This is look of a man who’s not slept for 6 nights and awaiting a full body MRI scan of at least an hour.
‘If you haven’t had one they’re claustrophobic and claustrophobic and omit loud random noises. Joy.
‘Take note on attempt of a jaunty not on my gown! I’m expecting to come out to news of India all out 195!’.
Jonnie celebrated his 50th birthday in November and said he felt ‘really privileged’ to mark the milestone after doctors had given him six months to live two years earlier.
The TV presenter marked the occasion in Costa Del Sol with his wife Jessica and their sons.
He revealed he had a birthday party earlier in the year as he ‘didn’t think he’d make it’ to the big day.
Speaking to Hello!, he said: ‘I feel really privileged to be able to celebrate my birthday looking at blue skies and with sand between my toes.
‘I had an early birthday party at the start of the year because I didn’t think I’d make it. It was like being at my own wake; lots of fun, lots of dancing. But here I am. I view it as a complete triumph.’
Jonnie went on to say the life threatening illness had forced him to really appreciate everyday.
He added: ‘Every little thing is so valuable to me, even kicking the ball against the wall for half hour,’ he told the publication. It’s so special and being away with my wife and kids for my 50th is brilliant.’
The broadcaster was diagnosed with terminal cancer after a tumour in his lung spread to his brain but was allowed out of hospital while his liver function showed signs of improvement.
Back in November he was being observed every four hours after having jaundice, fever and pains in his right hand side, but was later released.
Just weeks before his death, Jonnie shared a photo of him and his son Rex on Instagram as he marked the New Year amid his cancer battle.
The TV star was seen beaming at the camera while Rex sat on his lap enjoying a slice of Bakewell tart.
He penned: ‘Just the 3 portions of homemade Bakewell tart for the lad!’
Jonnie was given just six months to live when he was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer, which has spread to his brain, in August 2020 (pictured with wife Jessica and their children)
Back in November he was being observed every four hours after having jaundice, fever and pains in his right hand side, but was later released (pictured in June 2023)
The presenter went public with his cancer battle in 2022 after keeping it a secret for two years.
The television presenter had been filming A Place In The Sun in Italy when he began to see ‘weird gold spots’ when he was driving.
A crew member with him in the car was concerned at the time and took him straight to hospital where he was told he had nodules around his brain.
Jonnie got a flight straight back to the U.K and went to hospital.
He said: ‘Within a few hours I got told I had cancer. And I was like “right”.
‘Then a few hours later, my good friend Rahul was sat with me when they said it is terminal cancer and I had six months to live.
‘Do you ever hear the phrase it knocked the wind out of you? Nothing had ever done that to me and that it did it.
‘I was just battered.’
The father-of-three walked home in a dazed state as he struggled to comprehend the diagnosis and the daunting prospect of telling wife Jessica.
‘I didn’t think I was shakable like that,’ Jonnie said through tears.
‘I was really shaken up. I had to go home and I had to tell my wife and that’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.
‘How do you tell a woman who only two month before has had twins? How do you tell them that you’re not going to be there anymore?
‘I can remember it like it was yesterday. I’ve got no memory since I’ve had brain therapy but that b****y memory stays in my head and it is brutal.
Jonnie revealed the reason why he kept his battle with cancer a secret for two years was to ‘pay the bills’ (pictured on A Place In The Sun with co-host Jasmine Harman)
He said: ‘As soon as I told A Place in the Sun about my diagnosis they paid me for the rest of the season but didn’t renew my contract
‘All I can remember is hugging her and just saying sorry and I still feel sorry now.’
Jonnie had weeks of tests and bad news, but was given a two to three year lifeline when doctors found his cancer had a mutation.
Jonnie revealed the reason why he kept his battle with cancer a secret for two years was to ‘pay the bills’.
He said: ‘The only reason I kept it secret is because I’ve got to earn, I’ve got to feed my babies, pay the bills.
‘And as soon as you say you’ve got cancer, people just write you off.
‘I had to live with it as a secret. It was really difficult living with such a massive cloud above me and pretending to everyone else.
‘For the first year and a half I could work. Unfortunately, one of the companies claimed they couldn’t insure and didn’t renew my contract. It left a massive hole in my income.
‘I felt like I’d been thrown on the scrapheap. They’d recruited within a week and then I could see some else doing my job.’
He told The Sun: ‘As soon as I told A Place in the Sun about my diagnosis they paid me for the rest of the season but didn’t renew my contract.
‘They knew I wanted to carry on. That hurt. That broke my heart.’
When approached for comment, Channel 4 said at the time ‘no stone was left unturned’ to find a way for Jonnie to stay but they could not get insurance.
The host said it was when he was hiding from photoshoots and taking selfies with fans that he decided to speak out about his terminal diagnosis.
He said: ‘The day came when I decided I’m going to tell the world and I just thought as well I might get some money for the family.
‘It’s been a massive weight off my shoulders. The day I came out and told the world I have terminal cancer is the day I started living again. I started being Jonnie Irwin again.
‘I actually feel alive.’