Jonnie Irwin has thanked his BBC colleagues on Escape To The Country for their support following his cancer diagnosis, saying the team are "family" after almost a decade on the show.
The 49-year-old presenter shared the news in November that he had been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer back in 2020, revealing that doctors had initially given him just six months to live after he noticed the first warning signs of his illness while filming A Place In The Sun. Jonnie has previously been vocal about feeling "thrown on a scrap heap" by bosses of the Channel 4 series, amid claims that they could not insure him following his diagnosis.
However, the star was full of praise for his BBC colleagues on Escape To The Country for their response to the news. Speaking to The Mirror at the Television and Radio Industries Club (TRIC) Awards last week, Jonnie said: "With a notable exception from one production company, as soon as they found out they put their arm around me and, insurance provided, they looked for work when I could.
READ MORE: Loose Women's Denise Welch reveals Tim Healy's hilarious reply to nurse when son Matt was born
"So any location that was anywhere near me I was first candidate for and they really helped me find work," he explained. "They were understanding, especially with travel arrangements. They were so supportive - I can't thank them enough."
Referring to the show's TRIC nomination, Jonnie added: "They are family. It's recognition for all the work that production, post-production and crew all put in. I've worked on Escape for coming up to 10 years, but 20 years in the industry and I've had the most fun and its the most like a family of all the shows I've done."
Attending the awards ceremony on Tuesday with Escape To The Country co-stars including Nicki Chapman, Sonali Shah and Jules Hudson, Jonnie earned praise from fans as he shared a look behind the scenes at the after-party where he danced with his colleagues. Opening up about why he went public with his cancer diagnosis, the presenter said: "I wanted to show that because you have cancer it doesn't mean you are a different person. You can still work.
"Look at me now! I don't think the doctors were expecting me to make 2023, but here I am and I'm available at work. And I'm especially available to party!"
