Jonnie Irwin latest: Escape to the Country star’s family lead tributes to ‘remarkable soul’
Irwin had been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in 2020
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A Place in the Sun presenter Jonnie Irwin has died aged 50, his family announced on Friday (2 February).
The former TV host had been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in 2020. After initially keeping his illness private, Irwin revealed his condition in November 2022 after being told the cancer had spread from his lungs to his brain.
The news of his death was shared on the presenter’s Instagram account alongside a statement.
“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,” the post read alongside a photo of Irwin and his wife Jessica Holmes.
Tributes have quickly poured in for Irwin, with Jasmine Harman – his Place in the Sun co-presenter of more than 200 episodes – saying her “heart is broken”.
Jonnie Irwin’s former A Place in the Sun co-star pays tribute
TV presenter Jasmine Harman has paid tribute to her A Place In The Sun co-star Jonnie Irwin following his death aged 50.
In an Instagram post, she said: “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.”
She added: “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.”
Jonnie Irwin withheld cancer diagnosis because ‘people treat you differently’
Jonnie Irwin, the man who helped couples find their dream homes
A Place In The Sun presenter Jonnie Irwin will be best remembered for helping couples buy their dream homes inside and outside the UK following his death aged 50.
The property expert started off presenting what was then called A Place In The Sun: Home Or Away? with Jasmine Harman in 2004.
The Channel 4 show helps couples who want to move from the UK to find a home abroad with sun, sea and sand.
He also featured on other property shows, such as I Escaped To The Country and Escape To The Country on the BBC, and Dream Lives For Sale on Sky.
The Country property series is set in the UK and sees families try to find their dream home in rural locations with the help of experts.
Irwin also starred in Channel 4’s Renovation Game, which ran for three seasons from 2011, and saw builders and designers put their fees on the line if they do not raise the property value of a house during a revamp.
Outside presenting, Irwin regularly contributed to a blog for the legal firm, Judicare Group, which specialises in overseas property, and has been a director at the company since March 2017.
Jonnie Irwin shared heartbreaking regret after terminal cancer diagnosis
In December 2022, Irwin revealed he was forced to keep working following his terminal cancer diagnosis because he failed to take out critical illness cover.
Appearing on ITV’s breakfast show This Morning, Irwin told hosts Gethin Jones and Kimberley Walsh that he wished he had done things differently.
“When you get a terminal diagnosis, [the insurance] covers you for when you’re gone,” he said.
“But a terminal diagnosis can go on for years and it will affect... your illness affects your work, so if you’re unable to work and you’re waiting for this payout, who is going to pay the rent?
“So critical illness is a policy you take alongside that and that kicks in as soon as you’re ill.”
Failing to take out critical illness cover so has proved to be a major source of stress, Irwin admitted.
“I didn’t take that and that put a lot of pressure on having to work on days when I didn’t want to go to work, and that’s one mistake I say to everyone,” he said.
Jonnie Irwin, A Place in the Sun presenter, dies aged 50
How Jonnie Irwin defied the odds to outlive his original terminal cancer diagnosis
In November 2022, Jonnie Irwin announced that his lung cancer was terminal and had spread to his brain.
Irwin said the first warning sign of his illness came while he was filming A Place In The Sun in August 2020 in Italy, when his vision became blurry while driving.
“Within a week of flying back from filming, I was being given six months to live,” he told Hello! magazine.
“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.”
His co-star Jasmine Harman, who has presented A Place In The Sun for more than a decade, said on Instagram at the time she was “proud to call him a friend” and it was “brave” for him to share his story.
Irwin defied his initial six months' odds and opened up about his story in the last months of his life to encourage others to make the most of every day.
He also offered tips on life insurance policies and how he is helping protect his young family for the future, encouraging others to consider taking out a critical illness policy to help cover periods you are unable to work if you become ill.
In March, he revealed he had celebrated his 50th birthday earlier than his actual November date with a big bash surrounded by 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 told The Sun.
“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.”
He reportedly underwent 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.
A year after revealing his diagnosis, he celebrated his birthday on holiday in Spain with his children and told his followers in November 2023 that he was admitted to hospital.
He wrote on Instagram: “Back in hospital - been in since Friday with jaundice. I had a fever and acute stabbing pain in my right hand side.
“Turns out I probably had an infection and other issues which I won't bore you with. Been on drips, regular bloods taken and have observations every 4 hours through day and night.”
He subsequently said “my liver function is heading in the right direction” after having blood tests.
On the Conversations with Jane McLelland podcast in January 2024, he said his “rich kaleidoscope of help” also included hyperbaric oxygen treatment and Japanese alternative therapy Reiki.
“This positive attitude buys you days, buys you weeks and buys you moments with people like my kids,” he added.
He leaves behind his wife Jessica and children Rex, Rafa and Cormac.
Read the statement from Jonnie Irwin’s family
A spokesman for the 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.
“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.”
Statement says Irwin will be ‘greatly missed'
TV presenter Jonnie Irwin has died aged 50, his agent has confirmed.
A statement on his Instagram account 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.
“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.”
University tribute
Irwin graudated from University of Central England with a BSC in estate management. The university said on X: “We are deeply saddened to hear about the loss of BCU alumnus Jonnie Irwin.
“Our thoughts are with Jonnie’s wife Jessica, his sons Rex, Rafa and Cormac, and his family and friends.”
‘Incredibly saddened'
John Comerford, head of Naked West and executive producer of 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.’
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