Jonnie Irwin has revealed that his terminal cancer diagnosis came completely out of the blue, as he and his family prepare for his 'last Christmas'.
The 49-year-old A Place in the Sun star has been given just months to live, after finding out that he'd been living with lung cancer for years - which has unfortunately now spread throughout his body.
The father of three to son Rex, and twins Rafa and Cormac with his wife Jess, 40, opened up about the shocking diagnosis as the family plan their festive season.
Read more: Jonnie Irwin urges people not to repeat 'mistake' he made on life insurance
The Mirror reports that Jonnie said: "I went from no symptoms at all to a terminal diagnosis in a couple of days. Following on from filming an episode of A Place in the Sun, the star announced that he had 'squares coming into my vision' while driving, subsequently being told to visit a hospital by the show's sound man.
He told MailOnline: "I wanted to finish the show but.... they did some tests. I went home, returned the following day and they said I had six months to live." The presenter had no idea whatsoever that he had been living with lung cancer.
The tumours had been able to grow without symptom, and spread through his body up into the lymph nodes - until they began pressing against his brain. He was initially given a 'wonder drug' after being told that he had just six months to live, but unfortunately, his cancer 'come back so come back so violently, it's even surprised the doctors'.
"I've had a big dose of reality. I'm not going to beat this. People say, 'Don't worry. You will.' Well I probably won't, mate."
The star's wife Jess has been left heartbroken, admitting that she is scared by the 'sadness coming her way'. Discussing her future with her husband, Jonnie said he wants her to be happy when he's gone - even if that means being with someone else.
"If she finds a good bloke to look after her and the boys, that would be great," he said.
Despite their heartache, the couple are still hosting Christmas this year. "You wouldn't imagine anything was amiss," said Jess, who added her mum, dad and brother will be joining them for the special day.
Jonnie's family will also be there as the group enjoy the festivities in the couple's gorgeously renovated home. When asked how they plan to make the day extra special, the star replied warmly: "How do you make it extra special when it's already extra special?"
Read next:
- Lung cancer symptoms to look out for after A Place In The Sun's Jonnie Irwin shares diagnosis
Denise Welch's Loose Women defence of Meghan Markle lands in their Netflix series
The Traitor's Amanda and Wilf 'secure' win with a week to go after tell take remarks
Strictly's Hamza Yassin stages unexpected 'rescue' as he remains favourite to win
This Morning's Josie Gibson voices illness concern as fans call for her to return
