Vale: Jonnie Irwin

UK presenter Jonnie Irwin, best known for property shows Escape to the Country and A Place in the Sun, has died, aged 50.

Diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2020, he was initially given six months to live, but defied the odds and made his illness public after two years.

A statement on his Instagram read, “It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Jonnie’s passing,” said a statement on the account where he used to post updates on his health.

“A truly remarkable soul, he fought bravely against cancer with unwavering strength and courage.”

Irwin first presented A Place in the Sun in 2004, and began hosting Escape to the Country in 2010.

Freeform Productions said in a statement: “Jonnie was a much-loved part of the A Place in the Sun family and for more than 18 years he brought joy, wit and bundles of energy to the show. We will miss him terribly.”

Jasmine Harman, his long-time co-presenter wrote, “I have never admired you more than over the last few years as you’ve faced life with cancer with positivity, determination and bloody mindedness,” she wrote. “The world is a little darker today without you, but I will always smile when I think of you.”

The BBC described Irwin as an “extraordinary man and wonderful presenter”.

“He brought such warmth and fun to Escape To The Country where he was a firm favourite with not just viewers, but the production team too,” head of BBC daytime Rob Unsworth said.

“More recently, he did some truly inspirational reports for Morning Live about his illness, tackling taboos around end-of-life care and wonderfully demonstrating the limitless positivity that he brought to everything he did.”

Source: BBC