Jonnie Irwin shares photos from ‘best Father’s Day’ amid terminal cancer diagnosis

Jonnie Irwin says he had the ‘best father’s day ever’ in new post
Instagram/Jonnie Irwin
Lisa McLoughlin 19 June 2023
The Weekender

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A Place in the Sun’s Jonnie Irwin declared he had the “best Father’s Day ever” with his children amid his ongoing terminal cancer battle.

The Leicestershire born star was given just six months to live when he was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer — which has since spread to his brain — in August 2020, and publicly shared his condition in November.

Making the most of every moment, the 49-year-old documented his Father’s Day with his sons Rex, three, Rafa and Cormac, both two, in a new Instagram post.

In one shot, the TV star beamed as he held a bar of chocolate surrounded by his boys, while in another photo he enjoyed a slice of cake outside.

Irwin also shared a snap of the cards that his sons made him, as well as another picture of him in motorcycle gear.

Captioning the post, he wrote: “Had the best Father’s Day ever.

“Breakfast of Chocolate Guinness cake baked expertly my brilliant wife then cards from the boys and visit from my brother in law for a brief pillion ride back in time to enjoy some of the highs and lows of the Ashes ending in more cake with more family washed down by a drop of champers. #fathersday."

After sharing his update, social media users said his sons were “lucky” to have him as a father and applauded him for making “wonderful” memories amid his diagnosis.

One wrote: “Think of you every day Jonnie. You are giving your boys memories of a wonderful, brave daddy.”

“Memories, memories, memories. Something you will cherish forever, hope you are as well as can be expected,” another shared.

A third added: “Thank you for sharing the moments of your special Father’s Day with your family Jonnie. If I could have one miracle right now I’d give it to you.”

“Lucky boys having you as their Dad,” a social media user penned.

He told Hello! Magazine: “I had to go home and tell my wife, who was looking after our babies, that she was on her own pretty much.

“That was devastating. All I could do was apologise to her. I felt so responsible.”

The much-loved presenter recently shared how he travelled to Turkey for treatment, but the medical procedure caused irreversible damage to his liver.

Irwin said: “It’s blocked in a place they can’t operate on, so there’s no point fighting the cancer elsewhere if the liver’s not working. It’s a cruel blow. It can happen at any time. I’m here to stop it for as long as possible.”

The TV star also revealed he has also spent some time in a hospice to deal with the agonising pain his cancer is giving him — and has found some solace being there.

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