A Place In The Sun viewers are left in tears as Channel 4 pays special tribute to presenter Jonnie Irwin after his death
A Place In The Sun viewers were left in tears as the show paid a special tribute to presenter Jonnie Irwin following his death at the age of 50.
Jonnie passed away on Friday after a courageous three-year battle with cancer, following his lung cancer diagnosis in 2020.
The presenter presented the property program from 2004 until 2021, when he was forced to resign due to his terminal cancer diagnosis.
The show, which saw Danni Menzies helping house hunters in Manilva, Spain, was initially dedicated to Jonnie.
The program also aired a tribute after the credits with a photo showing a younger Jonnie on the beach from one of the trips abroad.
A Place In The Sun viewers were left in tears as the show paid special tribute to presenter Jonnie Irwin following his death at the age of 50
The show, which saw Danni Menzies helping house hunters in Manilva, Spain, was dedicated to Jonnie at the start of the program and this tribute was broadcast at the end.
It read: 'In memory of Jonnie Irwin. 1973 – 2004.'
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, fans said they were 'choking back tears' as both A Place In The Sun and Escape To The Country remembered Jonnie with special episodes.
They wrote: 'Choking back tears seeing Jonnie Irwin on his final show and the tribute at the end! Now rest, Jonnie, you have fought the hard battle.'
'Sorry for the passing of TV presenter #JonnieIrwin last Friday. He came across as a real guy. Was on #C4 #APlaceInTheSun for several years. May he rest in peace.'
'nice tribute! What a wonderful presenter. Thoughts with his near and dear ones.'
“I hope they show some clips of Jonnie at the end of the show. A place in the sun. REST IN PEACE'.
'Sorry for the passing of TV presenter #JonnieIrwin last Friday. He came across as a real guy. Was on C4 A Place In The Sun for a number of years. May he rest in peace.'
The real estate expert started with the presentation of what was then called A Place In The Sun: Home Or Away? with Jasmine Harman in 2004, beating hundreds of applicants to get the job.
The presenter hosted the real estate show from 2004 to 2021, when he was forced to resign due to his terminal cancer diagnosis
Fans said on X, formerly Twitter, that they were 'choking back tears' as both A Place In The Sun and Escape To The Country remembered Jonnie with special episodes
Viewers were in tears when Escape To The Country also paid tribute to presenter Jonnie on Monday
He filmed more than 200 episodes. In 2022, he reached out to producers when his contract was not renewed following his diagnosis that “broke his heart.”
He kept his battle with cancer a secret for two years after his 2020 diagnosis, after dismissing fears that his other work would be cancelled.
Channel 4 and Freeform said they were 'unable to obtain insurance cover' for him to continue filming internationally during the Covid-19 crisis.
A Place In The Sun shared a tribute on Instagram after his death.
Below a photo of the broadcaster was a message: 'Jonnie Irwin 1973 – 2024. We are heartbroken. Jonnie was a much-loved part of the A Place in the Sun family for over 18 years – bringing joy, humor and bundles of energy to the show.
'We will miss him terribly. Our thoughts are with Jess and the boys and the rest of the family.”
Host Jasmine shared a photo of them looking at a sunset and wrote: 'Jonnie Irwin – I will always remember the first time I heard your name. When I did a screen test for a new show, they said “we definitely want Jonnie, but we need to find another presenter”.
'I wondered who this mysterious Jonnie was. We met in Cape Town where we filmed the pilot. You, we are so charismatic and energetic, so confident and fun. I immediately understood why they wanted you.
Host Jasmine shared a photo of them looking at a sunset and wrote: “The world is a little darker today without you, but I will always smile when I think of you. My partner in crime
The TV presenter is survived by his wife Jessica Holmes and sons Rex, four, and two-year-old twins Rafa and Cormac
'Your cheeky personality and mischievous sense of humor always broke the ice and made people laugh. Everyone was warm to you and you had an incredible ability to connect with people, making them feel like they had known you for years.
“It has been a pleasure and privilege to begin our TV careers together, for which I will be forever grateful. Almost twenty years ago, as two nervous new presenters (I might be even more nervous than you!), we knew little about the adventure we were about to embark on, and the friends we would become.
'Professionally speaking, you were perfectly suited to life in front of the lens. But for years you always talked about wanting to settle down and become a father. Your wish came true when you met Jess. Never have you been happier than in your role as husband and father to the most wonderful three boys – you are a legend.
'Life just isn't fair. We cannot reason with it; there are no answers to the question Why?
'We can learn in your memory to cherish every hug, every conversation, every moment, for the priceless time we have. Enjoy every breath, every sunrise and sunset, never take anything for granted because tomorrow is not promised.
“Jonnie, you have taught me so much during our time as colleagues and as close friends. I have never admired you more than in recent years as you have faced life with cancer with positivity, determination and bloody spirit. I've never known anyone as strong as you. You have made yourself, your loved ones and all of us proud.
“The world is a little darker today without you, but I will always smile when I think of you. My partner in crime, my OG co-host – Jonnie, I will miss you.”
The TV presenter is survived by his wife Jessica Holmes and sons Rex, four, and two-year-old twins Rafa and Cormac.
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Born in 1973, Jonnie Irwin grew up in Bitteswell, Leicestershire, and attended Lutterworth Grammar School and Community College before becoming an estate agent.
In 2004, Irwin, along with co-presenter Jasmine Harman, were selected from hundreds of applicants to present Channel 4's show A Place In The Sun – Home Or Away. The real estate program was a surprise hit and was widely distributed. Irwin also regularly presents the BBC's Escape To The Country and To Buy Or Not To Buy.
In January 2011, Sky 1 broadcast Irwin's own show called Dream Lives for Sale, in which he helped people leave their lives in Britain to buy their dream business.
Later that year he started a new series of The Renovation Game, which aired on Channel 4 on weekday mornings.
In addition to presenting, he is also commercial director of Judicare, which describes itself as a 'specialist law firm that provides legal advice to clients on all matters relating to foreign real estate'.
Irwin married Jessica Holmes in September 2016. Together they have three sons and lived in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire before moving to Newcastle.
On November 13, Irwin was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. He told Hello magazine: 'I don't know how long I have left, but I'm trying to stay positive and my attitude is that I'm living with cancer and not dying from it.'