Jonnie Irwin says he feels ‘really privileged’ as he celebrates milestone 50th birthday in Spain with wife Jessica and their three children amid terminal cancer battle
Jonnie Irwin celebrated his 50th birthday in Spain on Sunday after being diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and given six months to live two years earlier.
The TV presenter celebrated the occasion in Costa Del Sol with his wife Jessica Holmes and their sons, Rex, four, and twins Rafa and Cormac, three.
Jonnie revealed he had a birthday party earlier this year because he ‘didn’t think he would make it to the big day’.
In a conversation with Hello! he said: ‘I feel truly privileged to be able to celebrate my birthday looking at a blue sky and with sand between my toes.
‘At the beginning of this year I had an early birthday party because I didn’t think I would make it. It was as if I was standing in my own wake; lots of fun, lots of dancing. But here I am. I consider it a complete triumph.”
‘I feel privileged’: Jonnie Irwin celebrated his milestone 50th birthday in Spain on Sunday after being diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and given six months to live two years earlier
‘I consider it a triumph’: The TV presenter celebrated the occasion on the Costa Del Sol with his wife Jessica Holmes and their sons, Rex, four, and twins Rafa and Cormac, three
He went on to say that the life-threatening illness has forced him to truly appreciate every day.
He added: “Every little thing is so valuable to me, even kicking the ball against the wall for half an hour,” he told the publication. It’s so special and it’s great to be away with my wife and kids at 50.”
The A Place in The Sun star was diagnosed with terminal cancer after a tumor in his lung spread to his brain, but he was allowed to leave hospital with his liver function showing signs of improvement.
Filming himself in the airport terminal before heading to Spain, he told his followers: ‘Woke up this morning feeling better, still slightly jaundiced but about to jump on a flight to southern Spain.
‘I discussed it with my oncologist and he said, “Well, there are hospitals in Spain and, to be honest, you’re not following the rules anyway.” But my thoughts are: that’s probably part of my success so far!’
Jonnie continued: ‘Hopefully my liver continues to get a little better and me and my family wake up tomorrow to blue skies in southern Spain… Have a safe journey to us.’
He captioned his video: “Time for some current sandwich and a break from hospitals and builder and they a break from me!
‘Luckily a mate needs a place to crash so there’s someone to keep an eye on everyone while I’m away as it’s a big week on site too. #livelifetothefull #sunshine #escape #costadelsol #mijas #holiday #livelife.”
‘It was like I was at my own wake’: Jonnie revealed he had a birthday party earlier this year because he ‘didn’t think he’d make it to the big day’
He said: ‘I feel really privileged to be celebrating my birthday. Earlier this year I had an early birthday party because I didn’t think I would make it. It was as if I was standing in my own wake; lots of fun, lots of dancing. But here I am. I consider it a complete triumph.”
Health concerns: The A Place in The Sun presenter was diagnosed with terminal cancer after a tumor in his lung spread to his brain and was not expected to live until 2023
Jonnie plans to celebrate his milestone 50th birthday in Spain on Saturday, despite doctors thinking he wouldn’t live until 2023.
The star revealed last November that his cancer had spread from his lungs to his brain after he was initially diagnosed in 2020.
Yet Jonnie’s incredible strength also allowed him to celebrate his twins’ third birthday in June, a milestone medical professionals thought he would never experience.
Last week, Jonnie was in hospital and was observed every four hours after experiencing jaundice, fever and pain on his right side.