A Place in the Sun’s Jasmine Harman still struggles to talk about her friend and co-host Jonnie Irwin after his tragic death from lung cancer

Jasmine Harman says it’s still difficult to talk about her A Place in the Sun co-host Jonnie Irwin after he tragically lost his battle with cancer earlier this year.

Television presenter Jonnie died in early February at the age of 50 after being diagnosed with cancer in 2020.

Co-hosts Jasmine, 48, and Jonnie were hired together in 2004, when they met during a pilot shoot in South Africa.

Although broadcaster Jasmine has many fond memories of her work on the show over the past two decades, she says she still hasn’t gotten over the death of her friend Jonnie.

She told me Mirror: ‘I am so proud to have been part of A Place in the Sun for 20 years. It has been life changing in so many ways.

‘I met my husband (a cinematographer) Jon on the programme, we now have two children, Joy, nine, and Albion, seven, and I pride myself on showing people that anything is possible.

‘But [reaching this landmark] was also very bittersweet. I still find it very difficult to even talk about Jonnie. It’s still very raw.’

After Jonnie’s death, Jasmine took a break from Instagram, but she returned last month to celebrate 20 years of A Place in the Sun.

Jasmine dedicated her milestone post to her ‘very special friend’ Jonnie, admitting the thought of celebrating the anniversary had left her ‘suffocated’.

Sharing several photos of herself and Jonnie, Jasmine wrote, “I recently passed the 20th anniversary of my very first shoot on A Place in the Sun.

‘Two decades ago, my career took a different path, which has shaped so many factors in my life to date. From meeting my husband, having our children, moving to Spain, to making so many wonderful friends over the years.

‘In particular, a very special friend…’

Jasmine continued: “Jonnie and I started our television careers together, which makes the 20th anniversary particularly poignant.

‘Without him I didn’t really feel like celebrating. To be honest, I found it quite annoying to post about it.

‘I miss him. He was always full of fun and mischief, it doesn’t seem possible that he is gone.

‘In memory of Jonnie, I give you a fragment of the past twenty years. What an honor to work with someone so vibrant and fun.

“Thank you Jonnie for the memories and as always send love to Jonnie’s family and loved ones.”

Jonnie’s wife Jessica Holmes announced his death on social media on February 2, describing her beloved partner, with whom she shares sons Rex, four-year-old and two-year-old twins Rafa and Cormac, as a “truly remarkable husband.”

The TV presenter revealed in November 2022 that his cancer had spread to his brain after he was first diagnosed with the disease in 2020 – a week after filming the hit Channel 4 show in Italy.

Shortly after news of his death broke, Jasmine shared some heartfelt words on social media.

She shared a photo of them looking at a sunset and wrote: ‘Jonnie Irwin – I will always remember the first time I heard your name. When I did a screen test for a new show, they said ‘we definitely want Jonnie, but we have to find another presenter’. I wondered who this mysterious Jonnie was. We met in Cape Town where we filmed the pilot. You, we are so charismatic and energetic, so confident and fun. I immediately understood why they wanted you.

‘Your cheeky personality and mischievous sense of humor always broke the ice and made people laugh. Everyone loved you and you had an incredible ability to connect with people, making them feel like they had known you for years.

“It has been a pleasure and privilege to begin our TV careers together, for which I will be forever grateful. Almost twenty years ago, as two nervous new presenters (I might be even more nervous than you!), we knew little about the adventure we were about to embark on, and the friends we would become.

‘Professionally speaking, you were perfectly suited to life in front of the lens. But for years you always talked about wanting to settle down and become a father. Your wish came true when you met Jess. Never have you been happier than in your role as husband and father to the most wonderful three boys – you are a legend.

‘Life just isn’t fair. We cannot reason with it; there are no answers to the question Why?

‘We can learn in your memory to cherish every hug, every conversation, every moment, for the priceless time we have. Enjoy every breath, every sunrise and sunset, never take anything for granted because tomorrow is not promised.

“Jonnie, you have taught me so much during our time as colleagues and as close friends. I have never admired you more than in recent years as you have faced life with cancer with positivity, determination and bloody spirit. I’ve never known anyone as strong as you. You have made yourself, your loved ones and all of us proud.

“The world is a little darker today without you, but I will always smile when I think of you. My partner in crime, my OG co-host – Jonnie, I will miss you.”