Jonnie Irwin had his ‘best ever’ Father’s Day with his young boys, despite the fact that it was likely his last.
The 49-year-old A Place In The Sun host disclosed in November 2022 that he may only have’months to live’ after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.
His disease advanced from his lung to his brain, and he recently spent time in the hospital, but he has stayed optimistic throughout, openly discussing his experiences.
He hasn’t told his three children, Rex, four, and twins Rafa and Cormac, two, about his sickness.
On Sunday (June 18), the TV actor took to social media to share a cheerful message in honour of Father’s Day, which included arts and crafts with his kids before some cricket action.
‘Had The best Father’s Day ever’, he began in his caption.
‘Breakfast of Chocolate Guinness cake baked expertly my brilliant wife then cards from the boys and visit from my brother in law for a brief pillion ride back in time to enjoy some of the highs and lows of the Ashes ending in more cake with more family washed down by a drop of champers’, he shared.
Jonnie’s little boys were seen happily holding their homemade cards before having cake in the yard as Jonnie sipped from a ‘dad’ cup.
He was afterwards observed standing with his brother-in-law in full motorbike gear.
Jonnie’s admirers commended him for being ‘brave’ in the comments area, which was filled with nothing but love.
‘Think of you every day Jonnie. You are giving your boys memories of a wonderful, brave daddy. ❤️❤️’, one follower wrote.
‘Thank you for sharing the moments of your special Fathers day with your family Jonnie. If I could have one miracle right now I’d give it to you. 🙏💛’, another commented.
Jonnie’s tweet comes after he detailed his agonising conversations with his boys.
The broadcaster, who has two children with his wife Jess, recently said that he has been having private chats about the future with his eldest.
‘I’ve started to tell Rex in private conversations, “You can do anything”,’ Jonnie said in a new interview.
‘He’s bright, he’s talented, and comes home from nursery knowing more French than I do,’ doting dad Jonnie added to Hello!
Jonnie also poignantly noted: ‘Jess is soft, so they’ll have a softer upbringing than if I was around, probably.’
He’s also said that the reason he hasn’t told his children about his cancer is because he doesn’t want to ‘confuse’ them.
‘I keep being asked, “Are you going to tell them?” but tell them what?’, he added to the publication.
‘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. Let’s bury our heads in the sand for as long as possible.’
Macmillan cancer support
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with cancer, Macmillan can offer support and information.
You can contact their helpline on 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week from 8am to 8pm), use their webchat service, or visit their site for more information.
