Jonnie Irwin’s final Escape To The Country episode touches hearts after tragic passing

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A deeply moving episode of Escape to the Country featuring the late Jonnie Irwin was broadcast on Friday afternoon, showcasing his efforts to help Phil and Amanda find their dream home in Derbyshire. This episode originally aired in 2021, a year after Jonnie was privately diagnosed with terminal cancer. Despite the grim prognosis, he chose to keep his illness under wraps until 2022.

Jonnie was initially given just six months to live after being diagnosed with lung cancer, which later spread to his brain, yet he defied all medical expectations. On BBC Morning Live, he shared his reasons for keeping his diagnosis secret, explaining he wanted to maintain a sense of normality and continue working without being treated differently, as reported by Derbyshire Live. He said, “I’ve kept it a secret for two and a half years, I think some people probably guessed in later months. But I’ve kept it a secret until now; I just thought I wanted to get the monkey off my back and share my experiences.”

He added, “These experiences hopefully will help people with a life-threatening disease and people who are dealing with these people as well.” Jonnie’s passing on February 2, 2024, at the age of 50, was announced on his social media with a touching message and a photo of him alongside his wife, Jessica. The tribute read, “In Loving Memory. It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Jonnie’s passing.”

The message continued, “A truly remarkable soul, he fought bravely against cancer with unwavering strength and courage. Jonnie touched the lives of so many with his kindness, warmth, and infectious spirit.” It also requested privacy for his family during this difficult time, expressing gratitude for the support and prayers they have received. “Jonnie may be gone from our sight, but his love, laughter, and memories will live on. Rest in peace, dear Jonnie. You will be dearly missed, but never forgotten.”

Jonnie was a beloved television personality, known for his roles on A Place in the Sun, Escape to the Country, and regular appearances on Morning Live. Following his death, heartfelt tributes poured in from colleagues, including Jules Hudson from Escape to the Country, who described him as the “life and soul” of the show. Jules shared on social media, “Always funny, always full of mischief, he met his diagnosis with characteristic fight and a selfless determination to do whatever he could to beat it.”

He added, “All of our thoughts are with Jonnie and his family on a day we all dared to hope would never come. Farewell old friend, I’ll see you next time… with all our love, Jules.” For those wishing to remember Jonnie’s work, Escape to the Country remains available to watch on BBC iPlayer.