• News
  • Life
  • TV & Film
  • Beauty
  • Style
  • Home
  • News
    • Celebrity
    • Entertainment
    • Politics
    • Royal Family
  • Life
    • Animals
    • Food & Drink
    • Women's Health
    • Mental Health
    • Sex & Relationships
    • Travel
    • Real Life
  • TV & Film
    • True Crime
    • Documentaries
    • Netflix
    • BBC
    • ITV
    • Tyla Recommends
  • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Make-up
    • Skincare
  • Style
    • Home
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
Submit Your Content
Jonnie Irwin vows to reach 50th birthday as he admits he was on 'cusp of death'

Home> Entertainment> Celebrity

Published 12:01 11 Nov 2023 GMT

Jonnie Irwin vows to reach 50th birthday as he admits he was on 'cusp of death'

The Channel 4 star was diagnosed with terminal cancer in November last year

Rhianna Benson

Rhianna Benson

Fans of the hit Channel 4 property series Escape to the Country were left heartbroken last year after much-loved host, Jonnie Irwin, was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Jonnie, 49, was first diagnosed with lung cancer back in 2020, before it spread to his brain, with him announcing the tragic news in November 2022.

And since then, the TV star and father-of-three has been bravely documenting his health journey on social media, sharing every major milestone with his fans.

Jonnie had initially been told by doctors that he wouldn't live to see his twins sons' third birthday party, which fell in July just gone.

Advert

And in May, the on-screen star was taken into St Oswald’s Hospice in Newcastle, where his health deteriorated dramatically.

Though he did credit the 'amazing care and lovely nurses' he received whilst believing he was encountering his last few days on Earth.

"All the signs were there that it could be the end," he told the Sun. "One day, the oncologist, hospice doctors and a couple of nurses came in and started telling me to go home and spend time with my family.

The TV presenter wants to make memories with his family with the time he has left.
Instagram/@jonnieirwintv

Advert

"The penny didn’t drop at first. My ears only heard, ‘You’re going home’ because I was pretty out of it."

He went on: "It was only later I thought, ‘They were telling me I’m done.’"

Jonnie defied all odds, however, and it's now been almost five months since he attended his sons' birthday celebration.

And he's now determined to spend the remainder of his life making memories with his family, including celebrating his own 50th birthday, which is fast approaching.

Advert

The Channel 4 star has opened up on his plan to travel to Spain to celebrate the major milestone.

Jonnie told press this week: "I never thought I’d be here. I’m really looking forward to some time with Jess and the boys."

Jonnie Irwin was diagnosed with lung cancer.
Instagram/@jonnieirwintv

The star shares children Rex, four, and twins Rafa and Cormac, three - with his wife Jessica.

Advert

He said: "Lying in the hospice, I thought I’d had it. I was on the cusp of death.

"I’d never thought about dying, despite the cancer, and Jess and I don’t talk about it.

"But at my weakest point, I thought, ‘This is it, this is the beginning of the end.’"

When Jonnie first broke the news of his diagnosis with fans last year, he told Hello! Magazine that he wasn't sure how long he'd have left, but said he'd 'try to stay positive' for his family.

Advert

"My attitude is that I'm living with cancer, not dying from it," he said at the time. I set little markers – things I want to be around for [...] I'm doing everything I can to hold that day off for as long as possible."

Featured Image Credit: Credit: Instagram/@jonnieirwintv

Topics: Channel 4, Health, Jonnie Irwin, Celebrity, Social media

Rhianna Benson
Rhianna Benson

Rhianna is an Entertainment Journalist at LADbible Group, working across LADbible, UNILAD and Tyla. She has a Masters in News Journalism from the University of Salford and a Masters in Ancient History from the University of Edinburgh. She previously worked as a Celebrity Reporter for OK! and New Magazines, and as a TV Writer for Reach PLC.

X

@rhiannaBjourno

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

2 days ago
  • 2 days ago

    Doctor busts common abortion myths as Lily Allen admits she ‘can’t remember’ how many she’s had

    Lily Allen has caused controversy with her recent confession, but one doctor is keen to dispel rumours around abortions

    Entertainment
  • 2 days ago

    Emma Stone’s shocking NSFW three-word comment about Pedro Pascal sparks backlash

    The divisive comment came during Emma's recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

    Entertainment
  • 2 days ago

    Hailey Bieber's dad Stephen shares honest opinion on her marriage to husband Justin

    Hailey Bieber's marriage to Justin has regularly made headlines

    Entertainment
  • 2 days ago

    Lizzo’s unexpected Ozempic claim alongside drastic weight loss pictures leaves fans all in agreement

    The 37-year-old singer has wowed fans once again with more weight loss snaps

    Entertainment
  • Jonnie Irwin is back in hospital days before his 50th birthday
  • Jonnie Irwin frustrated as he reveals terminal cancer is 'on the move again'
  • Robert Irwin reveals where he wants his girlfriend to be from as risqué new photo shoot leaves fans stunned
  • Jonnie Irwin says he has 'up and down days' as he receives palliative care in hospice