Jonnie Irwin issues health update as he battles terminal cancer

The 49-year-old, who is known for presenting Channel 4’s A Place In The Sun and the BBC’s Escape To The Country, said in November that he has lung cancer which has spread to his brain.

Irwin shares three-year-old son Rex and two-year-old twins Rafa and Cormac with his wife Jessica.

In a new interview with The Sun, he said: “I’m weak now, fragile and my memory is terrible… but I’m still here.”

Irwin admitted in the interview that playing with his children has become more challenging since becoming unwell.

He said to The Sun: “I tried to play football with Rex the other day and was in goal and I couldn’t get near the ball.

“It was so frustrating. 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.

“I always thought, ‘I’m an older dad but I’ll be leading from the front’ but I’m now at the back.”

The TV presenter previously said that he received the first warning sign of his illness while he was filming in Italy for A Place In The Sun in August 2020.

The presenter said his vision became blurry while driving and within a week of flying home he was given six months to live.

Irwin has, however, defied the odds and opened up about his story last year to encourage others to make the most of every day.

Despite his birthday actually being in November, Irwin decided to celebrate early with a big bash which saw 170 friends and family members turn up.

He recalled the celebrations, telling The Sun: “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.

“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.

“I just wanted to do something to celebrate my birthday and had no idea how many people would actually turn up. It was incredible.”

Irwin is undergoing traditional cancer-blocking drugs as well as trialling alternative therapies including infusions of vitamin C, a cocktail of daily vitamins, a strict diet and treatment in an oxygen chamber, according to The Sun.

He said: “I really believe that I wouldn’t still be here if I hadn’t tried all these things.”