Jonnie Irwin's dying wish for sons as he prepares for final Father's Day

Jonnie Irwin and his family on a day out
Jonnie Irwin said he was grateful to have seen his children grow up
Instagram: Jonnie Irwin
Jack Walters

By Jack Walters


Published: 13/06/2023

- 12:03

Updated: 31/08/2023

- 15:56

A Place In The Sun star was diagnosed with terminal cancer after his lung cancer spread to his brain

Jonnie Irwin has shared his dying wish for his three sons as he prepares for his final Father’s Day while battling terminal cancer.

The 49-year-old, who starred on A Place In The Sun, revealed his diagnosis last year.


Irwin is now preparing to say goodbye to wife Jessica, eldest son Rex, six, and two-year-old twins Cormac and Rafa.

He recently revealed what he hopes his three children can achieve going forward.

Jonnie Irwin arriving for the 2010 TV Choice awards at the Dorchester HotelJonnie Irwin arriving for the 2010 TV Choice awards at the Dorchester HotelPA

Irwin told Hello!: “I want them to have the confidence of a public school boy, but also be streetwise lads - they're happy kids, they laugh, and are a lot of fun to have around.

“I keep being asked, 'Are you going to tell them?' but tell them what?

“It would be horrible news that they'd have to get their heads around.

“And it would confuse the hell out of Rex – he's got a shocking enough day coming.

Jonnie Irwin wearing a hat and coat outside

Jonnie Irwin continued to work during his diagnosis

Instagram: Jonnie Irwin

“Let's bury our heads in the sand for as long as possible.”

Irwin also revealed he will share messages with his wife and children after his death through recorded video clips.

The 49-year-old said he initially kept his diagnosis a secret because he “had to pay the bills”.

Irwin later claimed he was removed from his slot on Channel 4’s A Place In The Sun show after speaking about his cancer diagnosis.

Jonnie Irwin health update as A Place In The Sun presenter was recently admitted to hospital

Instagram

The presenter also said he chose to keep his illness private until this year as he did not want people to treat him differently and he still needed to work.

The father-of-three announced earlier this month that he is starting to lose his memory.

Irwin tied the knot with Jessica in 2016.

The family lived in the Hertfordshire town of Berkhamsted and later moved to Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

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