A Place in the Sun's Jonnie Irwin shares terminal cancer diagnosis
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A Place in the Sun and Escape to the Country presenter Jonnie Irwin has revealed he has terminal cancer.
Speaking publicly about his diagnosis for the first time, Irwin told HELLO! that he had been diagnosed with lung cancer back in 2020, with the disease having now spread to his brain.
Revealing why he's now chosen to speak publicly about his illness the TV presenter told the magazine: "It's got to the point now where it feels like I'm carrying a dirty secret – it's become a monkey on my back.
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"I hope that I might inspire people who are living with life-limiting prospects to make the most of every day; to help them see that you can live a positive life, even though you are dying."
Irwin added that he now wants to focus on making memories with his wife and three young children. "I don't know how long I have left," he said. "But I try to stay positive and my attitude is that I'm living with cancer, not dying from it.
"I got into the habit of saying: 'Don't plan ahead because I might not be well enough.' But now I want to make plans. I want to make memories and capture these moments with my family because the reality is, my boys are going to grow up not knowing their dad and that breaks my heart."
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The TV presenter also shared the first warning signs before his diagnosis, revealing that his vision had gone blurry while filming for A Place in the Sun.
"Within a week of flying back from filming, I was being given six months to live," he said.
"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."
If you would like more information or support about living with cancer or treatment, please click here to learn more from Stand Up to Cancer.
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