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Jonnie Irwin reveals he was ‘sent home to die’ after health setback
He marked his 50th birthday on Saturday
Jonnie Irwin has revealed in an interview he was ‘sent home to die’ after he suffered a health setback over the summer.
The former A Place in the Sun presenter, who turned 50 on Saturday, is back in the UK after enjoying a holiday with his family in Spain.
Speaking from abroad, the dad-of-three said he suffered some health complications over the summer and that he had been ‘sent home to die’ before turning a corner.
Talking to Hello! in an intimate interview, he said: “They sent me home to die but I slowly started to get food in me and I started to feel stronger and stronger and I had a really good summer.”
Jonnie confirmed last November that he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer after a tumour in his lung had spread to his brain.
Doctors originally told him that he could have ‘months left’ to live but the star has been sharing his health updates ever since, speaking openly and honestly, in a bid to help others who are suffering from the disease.
The TV personality is back from a much needed holiday in Costa del Sol with his wife Jessica, and three boys four-year-old Rex and twins Rafa and Cormac, three.
He told the publisher: “I feel really privileged to be able to celebrate my birthday looking at blue skies and with sand between my toes.
“I had an early birthday party at the start of the year because I didn’t think I’d make it. It was like being at my own wake; lots of fun, lots of dancing. But here I am. I view it as a complete triumph.”
Jonnie revealed on Instagram on Tuesday that he was jetting off from the UK to escape to the sunshine with his family and celebrate his birthday milestone.
Fresh out of hospital after receiving treatment for jaundice, he said: “I woke up this morning feeling a bit better, I’m still slightly jaundiced but I’m about to jump on a flight to southern Spain.
“I did clear it with my oncologist, he said ‘there are hospitals in Spain and you don’t play by the rules anyway’.”
He added: “But my thoughts are, that’s probably part of my success so far. Fingers crossed my liver continues to get a bit better. Me and family, we wake up tomorrow to blue skies in southern Spain.”