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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Robert Dex

A Place in the Sun presenter Jonnie Irwin dies after lung cancer battle

A Place in the Sun presenter Jonnie Irwin has died aged 50, his family have announced.

The property developer turned broadcaster, who also presented Escape to the Country, revealed in 2022 he had terminal lung cancer after being diagnosed two years earlier.

In a message posted online, his family said: "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."

Asking for privacy as his family "navigate through this profound loss", they said they would "celebrate a life well-lived".

Among those who paid tribute was his A Place in the Sun co-presenterJasmine Harman who said it had been "a pleasure and a privilege" to begin her TV career with him.

She said: "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.”

TV presenter Nicki Chapman said she is “heartbroken” following the death of fellow Escape To The Country star Jonnie Irwin.

On Instagram, she said: “Heartbroken. Sending love to Jess & the family.”

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."

Speaking last year, Irwin said he celebrated his 50th birthday early and said the cancer, which had spread to his brain, had left him "weak" and "fragile".

He ended up celebrating at a party with 170 friends and family.

“It was a great night. I chose a playlist with some great tunes from the ’90s and 2000s and people came from all over the country and abroad,” he recalled.

“I didn’t know the extent of the loyalty and generosity that my friends would exhibit.

“I’ve been dumbfounded and spellbound by their support, as well as that of our families, who have been amazing.

“I just wanted to do something to celebrate my birthday and had no idea how many people would actually turn up. It was incredible.”

Jonnie Irwin and his family (Instagram)

Irwin, who had three children with his wife Jessica, previously said he received the first warning sign of his illness while he was filming A Place In The Sun in Italy in August 2020, when his vision became blurry while driving.

Within a week of flying home, he was given six months to live but survived much longer having undergone traditional cancer-blocking drugs as well as trialling alternative therapies including infusions of vitamin C, a cocktail of daily vitamins, a strict diet and treatment in an oxygen chamber.

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