Jonnie Irwin bought his three children an 18th birthday present and revealed his final wish before losing his battle with cancer
Jonnie Irwin bought his three children their 18th birthday presents before he passed away and revealed his dying wish for them.
The A Place In The Sun presenter passed away on Friday at the age of 50 after a three-and-a-half-year battle with terminal lung cancer.
Jonnie's grieving wife Jessica Holmes paid a heartbreaking tribute in which she pleaded 'me and the boys need you' before saying 'goodnight' to her beloved husband.
The couple decided to keep Jonnie's battle with cancer a secret from their three young sons: Rex, five, and twins Cormac and Rafa, two.
But Jonnie planned ahead and bought each of his three boys a special gift for their 18th birthday, more than a decade earlier, knowing he wouldn't be there.
Jonnie Irwin bought his three children their 18th birthday presents and revealed his dying wish before he died Friday at the age of 50 after a battle with terminal cancer
The couple's three sons: Rex, five, and twins Cormac and Rafa, two, did not know their father was dying (pictured with mother Jessica Holmes in October 2023)
In 2023 Jonnie said Hello! Magazine: 'It pains me to think that the twins probably won't remember me anymore. You hear people say, 'I don't remember my father anymore. He died when I was so young.”
He continued, “I think about it and it breaks my heart because that's basically what I'm meant to be: a footnote in their lives. So I try to have monuments of my love for them.”
One of these landmarks is the house in Newcastle where the boys live with Rachel, which Jonnie bought outright so his children had a debt-free asset.
Also in 2023, Jonnie revealed his dying wish.
“I had a difficult upbringing and despite that I have been able to do a lot in my life, but I don't want them to have difficulty with that,” he told Hello! Magazine.
He explained that he wanted his children to have the confidence of those who went to fee-paying schools, but also knew their way around the streets.
Jonnie described his children as happy, always smiling and fun to be around. His hope for them was that they would grow up surrounded by family.
The father grew up in Bitteswell, Leicestershire, and attended Lutterworth Grammar School before starting his career as an estate agent.
He and Jessica chose not to tell their children about Jonnie's diagnosis because Jonnie wanted their final memories to be as authentically happy as possible.
Jonnie planned ahead and bought each of his three boys a special gift for their 18th birthday, more than a decade earlier, knowing he wouldn't be there.
Jonnie continued, “I think about it and it breaks my heart because that's really what I'm meant to be: a footnote in their lives. So I try to have monuments of my love for them' (pictured in 2023)
One of these milestones is the house in Newcastle where the boys live with Rachel, which Jonnie bought outright, leaving his children with debt-free assets (pictured in 2023).
Also in 2023, Jonnie revealed his dying wish: “I had a difficult upbringing and despite that I have been able to do a lot in my life, but I don't want them to struggle,” he said.
Jonnie's death was announced with a photo of him and Jessica and a caption that read: 'It is with pain in our hearts that we share the news of Jonnie's passing.
'A truly remarkable soul, he bravely fought cancer with unwavering strength and courage. Jonnie touched the lives of so many with his kindness, warmth and infectious spirit.
“At this time, we kindly ask for the privacy of Jonnie's family as they navigate this profound loss.
“Their grief is immeasurable and your thoughts, prayers and support are greatly appreciated.
“As we remember the wonderful moments we shared with Jonnie, let us celebrate a life well lived and a legacy that will forever be etched in our hearts. Jonnie may be gone from our sight, but his love, laughter and memories will live on.”
It ended with: 'Rest in peace, dear Jonnie. You will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.”
Jessica's tribute included a photo of Jonnie looking away and smiling and the caption read: 'Good night my favorite. Thanks for everything. I will always love you.
'The hardest day has arrived, a day I hoped would not come. It is with all the sadness in the world that I confirm that Jonnie passed away earlier today.
Jonnie's death was announced with a photo of him and Jessica and a caption that read: “It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Jonnie's passing.”
It continued: ''A truly remarkable soul, he bravely fought cancer with unwavering strength and courage. Jonnie touched the lives of so many with his kindness, warmth and infectious spirit.”
Jessica's tribute included a photo of Jonnie looking away and smiling and the caption read: 'Good night my favorite. Thanks for everything. I will always love you'
It continued: “The hardest day has arrived, a day I prayed would not come. It is with all the sadness in the world that I confirm that Jonnie passed away earlier today.”
She continued, “His magical brain that kept fighting until the end has now fallen asleep. He has given me more than I could ever ask for: 8 crazy years of love and adventure and 3 amazing boys.
“I will continue to make you proud, but only now that your love still finds me and guides me for the rest of my life, me and the boys still need you. Jonnie, you were truly the most handsome man I have ever known and I am so sorry for this cruel ending.
'It really wasn't fair and you didn't deserve any of this. You gave so much of your time to others and touched everyone you met, I have never experienced anything like the effect you had on people.
Jessica finished: “I love you so much and am forever proud of you xxx.”