A Place in the Sun star Jonnie Irwin has described how living with terminal cancer has impacted his parenting duties. The popular TV host, 49, recalled how a recent kickabout with his young son almost 'broke' him, as he felt 'weaker' due to his terminal cancer.
Jonnie shared the heartbreaking update that he 'doesn't know how long' he has left to live in November, after first being diagnosed with lung cancer in August 2020, which later spread to his brain as reported by The Mirror. Speaking in a new interview, the dad-of-three revealed he recently celebrated his 50th with 170 loved ones and a big party, ahead of his milestone birthday in November.
"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," Jonnie said.
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"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."
A Place in the Sun co-star Jasmine Harman and ex-England cricketer Andrew Caddick were in attendance at the bash. While the party was a happy memory for Jonnie, the property guru has been struggling with certain activities he used to be able to easily manage.
Speaking with The Sun, the doting dad explained how playing a spot of football with his son Rex left him feeling frustrated as he "couldn't get near the ball."
"I’m very sporty and suddenly it’s just like…it was as if it was the first time I’d attempted football. I felt like a granddad. And that broke me a bit," he recalls.
Jonnie continues to add how he always thought he'd be leading from the front, despite being an older dad, but is "now at the back". After making his diagnosis public last year, Jonnie credited "Jess and our boys" with helping him stay positive and focus on creating as many memories as he can with his family following his terminal diagnosis.
The property guru and Jessica, 40, tied the knot in September 2016 and have since gone on to welcome three children into the world together - Rex, three, and two-year-old twins Rafa and Cormac. Jonnie is an exceptionally proud father and often shares pictures of his young family with his fans on Instagram, with the latest update coming earlier this week during their staycation.
Discussing his terminal diagnosis and death with Hello! magazine last year, Jonnie said: "I'm doing everything I can to hold that day off for as long as possible. I owe that to Jess and our boys. Some people in my position have bucket lists, but I just want us to do as much as we can as a family."
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