When Jonnie Irwin revealed the facts of a home remodelling setback on Monday, he received an outpouring of sympathy.
The 49-year-old A Place In The Sun singer stunned fans earlier this month when he said he’s embarking on a massive refurbishment in the wake of his terminal cancer diagnosis.
However, Jonnie, a father of three, said last week that construction on the refurbishment had been slowed significantly.
He claimed in a lengthy video update that the house he lives with his wife Jessica Holmes and their three young kids was looking like a ‘right tip’ and that they were losing ‘crucial light’ since they had to build their new porch ’10 centimetres deeper’.
Jonnie, whose fans rushed to the comment section to offer him support, said in full: ‘Hello all, welcome to another day in paradise. Sun’s out but unfortunately, it’s a Sunday so the workmen aren’t here.
‘Progress so far? Well, you gotta get down to get up. It’s gotta get messy to get better.’
The TV star went on: ‘We are here. No windows. One blocked up window. One ripped-off cladding. And I dunno what that window’s still doing there but that should be cut out.
‘Hopefully the next job. But you might have noticed this rectangular red monstrosity. That’s the frame for the portico.’
He added: ‘Unfortunately because we have to go ten centimetres deeper, that’s a critical amount of light we’re blocking out.
‘That’s going to be solid wood in front of a glazed front door. That hallway has little natural light.
‘I’ve got to put a skylight here [gestures] or into the flat roof next door. I think the latter option is preferable but more expensive.’
Jonnie concluded: ‘And obviously putting a skylight in is a lot more expensive. It’s all down to that drain down there.
‘The joys of refurbishment I suppose. It’s all looking a right tip at the moment, hopefully we’ll make some progress soon.’
He captioned his video: ‘As James Brown once said “you’ve to get up to get down” but the builders have spent the past couple of weeks taking things down to enable us to improve the facade.
‘Running into problems is par for the course – finding solutions is the challenge. I’ve since found out that the flat roof I want to put a lantern in is made out of bloody concrete!
‘Bit of head scratching tonight and find a way forward tomorrow.’
Beneath his post, one fan said: ‘You are such an inspiration Jonnie, I’m sure you will come to a fantastic conclusion and it will look fabulous. Love to you all.’
Another echoed: ‘You’re a resourceful man Jonnie you’ll find a way.’
Other comments included: ‘Problems always easier to solve after a night’s sleep. Hope it comes together OK’ and ‘Looking great Jonnie, you’ll come up with a solution for sure.’
