Jonnie Irwin “couldn’t stop apologizing” as he shared terminal cancer diagnosis, says wife Jessica Holmes

Jonnie Irwin and his wife Jess Holmes have been candid about how they are dealing with his terminal cancer diagnosis.

The escape to the country The 49-year-old presenter said in November that he “don’t know how long” he has to live after being first diagnosed with lung cancer in August 2020.

In a recent interview in The sunHolmes recalled the moment Irwin shared his diagnosis with her.

“He couldn’t stop apologizing. He kept saying ‘sorry’ and I just kept telling him it wasn’t his fault,” she said.

The A place in the Sun The presenter married Holmes in September 2016. They share three sons: Rex, born in 2018, and twin sons, Rafa and Cormac, born in 2020.

Irwin has given Holmes his blessing that she will meet someone else in the future, but said she would not consider it.

“I can imagine the support I’m going to need and stuff like that, but when it comes to me, the lads are my life. That’s enough for me. That’s where my thinking stops.

“It scares me that suddenly I’m alone in a house, the only adult with three boys. The prospect of being a single mother and widow is a terrifying thought. I never chose to do this alone. I chose Jonnie because I knew he would make a great father and life partner.

She continued, “So more than anything, I’m just disappointed that we won’t have that, for both of our sakes.”

In addition to traditional cancer treatments, Irwin has turned to alternative therapies, including vitamin C IV fluids, daily vitamin supplements, a strict diet, and treatment in an oxygen chamber. Holmes said one reason Irwin is “still here” is because of “sheer willpower.”

Irwin added that he struggles to keep up with the physical demands of being a father to his three children.

“I tried to play football with Rex the other day and was in goal and couldn’t get to the ball. It was so frustrating,” he said.

“I’m very athletic and suddenly it’s like trying football for the first time. I felt like a grandpa. And that broke me a bit.”

Elsewhere in the interview, Irwin also revealed that he recently celebrated his 50th birthday ahead of the actual date in November with a huge party attended by 170 friends and family.

“It was a great night,” he said. “I picked a playlist of some great tunes from the 90’s and 2000’s and people came from all over the country and abroad.

“I didn’t realize how much loyalty and generosity my friends would show. I was amazed and charmed by their support as well as that of our families who have been amazing.”

He added, “I’m weak now, frail and my memory is terrible… but I’m still here.”