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Jonnie Irwin shared that when he joined A Place in the Sun in 2004, he didn’t think “his time would last” on the show. The 50-year-old sadly lost his battle with terminal lung cancer this week.
The former presenter was best known for fronting the Channel 4 programme for 18 years. He first started on the show in 2004 alongside Jasmine Harman and filmed over 200 episodes during his career.
However, he made a sad admission in a 2021 interview that he didn’t believe that being in front of cameras was a long-term plan. Jonnie originally bought and sold businesses that proved to be profitable before moving into TV presenting.
The father-of-three exclusively told Express.co.uk three years ago that he was worried about giving up his “lucrative career” to host A Place in the Sun – and assumed that he wouldn’t be around for long.
He explained: “People who work in business and property thought it was a great opportunity but I didn’t think it would last. I thought that I’d go work in it for a year or so, have some fun and then go back to the real world and get another job.”
He also presented the BBC property shows Escape To The Country and To Buy Or Not To Buy. Jonnie then embarked on his own programme in 2011 with The Renovation Game which aired on weekday mornings on Channel 4.
Jonnie was initially told that he had six months to live in the summer of 2020 but medication, radiotherapy and chemotherapy meant he defied doctors’ expectations.
In 2022, Jonnie revealed that his contract with Channel 4’s A Place In the Sun had not been renewed. He claimed that he had been paid for the rest of the season after he told bosses about his cancer diagnosis.
Channel 4 later stated that they could not get insurance for Jonnie. Meanwhile, he continued to work on Escape To The Country whilst battling his lung cancer.
It was announced in a statement on Friday that Jonnie had died. It 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.
“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.”
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Source: NewsFinale
