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Aaron Morris

Jonnie Irwin shares moment son learns to ride bike for first time - in heart-warming clip

Jonnie Irwin has tugged at the heartstrings of his followers, sharing a sweet snap of his son Rex learning to ride a bike by himself for the first time.

The former A Place in the Sun star took to Instagram at the weekend to upload a clip of family fun in the garden, with his three youngsters Rex, Rafa and Cormac enjoying their bikes, scooters and karts alike.

At the forefront was eldest Rex, who was captured whizzing around the back garden on his bright red bike - much to the delight of his cheering father, 49.

Read more: Jonnie Irwin gives update on cancer battle as he heads for treatment in Newcastle

In the clip, shared with Jonnie's 166,000 Instagram followers - the former TV presenter wrote: "So it turns out Rex has taught himself to ride a bike. I put it down to all those trips on his @bobike balance bike.

"Rafa looks hot on his heals. Now to find him a bigger bike as he’s already grown out of fireman bike."

And the clip itself showed the youngster navigating the outdoors without stabilisers, as Jonnie encouraged: "You can do it, start peddling," before applauding and cheering his son on. Hot on his heels was younger brother, who soared around the garden slightly behind him on a scooter - with Jonnie adding: "Well done Rafa!"

And the heart-warming clip, which has racked up over 12,000 likes since being posted was also flooded with kind comments by Jonnie's friends, family and fans alike. One wrote: "One of the best moments as a parent!" while another, went on: "The joy as a kid of riding your bike round and round the garden on a sunny day. Go Rex."

A third, added: "THIS is what keeps you going, Keep your faith Jonnie," while another, exclaimed: "Another lovely moment for Daddy and sons keep it up x."

A fifth, meanwhile wished Jonnie well after his recent trip to hospital, adding: "Precious moment what an achievement. I was just thinking I hope you are out of hospital. Happy to see your out in the garden watching your boys on a glorious day absolutely precious."

It comes after the former TV host was admitted to hospital to be monitored for a changeover in his 'pain management regime' - as he continues to battle terminal cancer. Jonnie was first diagnosed with the incurable disease back in 2020, after being prompted to seek medical attention when his vision became blurred driving home from a shoot for A Place in the Sun.

It was then that doctors would tell him that he had just six months to live, after lung cancer had sadly spread to his brain. Defying all odds, it has been almost three years now since Jonnie's diagnosis, and he continues to make beautiful memories with his family, sharing his adventures online with his adoring fans and followers alike.

However, he has been incredibly open with his diagnosis and experiences through the condition, appearing in various interviews explaining exactly how much it has changed his life and train of thought. In a chat on AIG's brand-new One Chat podcast last month, Jonnie said: "I've got my prognosis and that's made me think about things retrospectively.

"I've never been a backwards thinker, I've always been focused on what's next. I've always been driven. I've been skint, I've been down to cash converters, living off baked beans, selling stuff just to get myself through university.

"My mum would help me out with the rent but that's about it - and that made me a battler, that made me a fighter. But I've learned that I don't have to keep fighting everything, and I've learned about the here and now.

"And with less time potentially available to me, I've learned to enjoy the here and now and enjoy those around me more, and focus on those around me."

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