“Ok, I’ve given in, Christmas is here!”
Jonnie Irwin has posted heartbreaking pictures of what might be his last Christmas with his young family.
The A Place In The Sun star was given just six months to live when he was diagnosed with lung cancer, which had spread to his brain, in August 2020, but has been kept alive through medication, radiotherapy and chemo.
Last month, he claimed his travel show bosses had cut ties with him as soon as he revealed his diagnosis.
As this festive season might be his last, Jonnie is enjoying the time he has left.
He took to Instagram to post pictures of a Christmas outing with his wife, Jess, and his three-year-old son Rex.
The trio visited Santa’s grotto on Wednesday.
View this post on Instagram
Posting joyful snaps of the day out, Jonnie wrote: “Ok, I’ve given in, Christmas is here! Nothing to do with the mince pies and mulled wine on offer at all! Merry Christmas!”
In November, Jonnie opened his diagnosis to HELLO!, saying: “I don’t know how long I have left, but I try to stay positive and my attitude is that I’m living with cancer, not dying from it.
“I set little markers – things I want to be around for. I got into the habit of saying: ‘Don’t plan ahead because I might not be well enough’.”
The presenter told the publication that he hoped by being so open about his condition, he might “inspire people who are living with life-limiting prospects to make the most of every day; to help them see that you can live a positive life, even though you are dying”.
At that time, Jonnie admitted that he hadn’t shared his devastating news with his children, Rex, and two-year-old twins Cormac and Rafa.
He told HELLO!: “He doesn’t need to know yet. We make fun of my hair – he calls it my ‘spiky head’ – but as far as he’s concerned, his dad is normal and why would I shatter that innocence?”
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