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UK TV host Jonnie Irwin claims he was axed from show after revealing cancer diagnosis

By Madhurima Haque|

UK TV presenter Jonnie Irwin has alleged he was axed from his hosting role on A Place In The Sun when he disclosed his terminal cancer diagnosis.

Irwin had presented the lifestyle show about finding the "perfect property" from 2004 to 2021.

"As soon as I told A Place In The Sun about my diagnosis, they paid me for the rest of the season, but didn't renew my contract," he told The Sun

"They knew I wanted to carry on. That hurt. That broke my heart. I feel hugely let down. I can't even watch the show now.

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Jonnie Irwin refuses to tell his children about his cancer diagnosis.
Irwin says he was dismissed due to his cancer diagnosis. (Instagram)

"As soon as people find out you've got cancer, they write you off. Yes, I have stage four, and it's terminal จC but not yet, so let me live my life while I can."

In a statement to the BBC, Freeform Productions and C4 said they tried to find a way for the presenter to stay in his role, but they could not get insurance.

"Whilst we were unable to continue to film abroad with him, we're delighted that he was able to remain as part of our team in the UK for exhibitions," the statement read.

"We of course understand how frustrating this must be for him at this incredibly difficult time."

Irwin shared that besides being a way to put food on the table, work was his escape from his impossible situation?, and he was extremely disappointed after being let go so hastily.

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"Even though I look thinner and I'm without hair, Escape to the Country and A Place In The Sun Ltd, which runs the show's exhibitions, have employed me and I've been so impressed by them," he shared.

"But I didn't get that support from A Place In The Sun. I told them I wanted to work. When I said I can get you doctor notes and assurances from my oncologist that I am fit to work, I was told, verbatim, 'Oh, you really don't want to go down that route, do you?'

"They said, 'We don't think we can get the insurance', not 'We can't get the insurance', but, 'We don't think...?' That broke my heart and affected my mental health."

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Within two weeks, A Place In The Sun had found a replacement for the job he had done for almost two decades, Irwin said.?

Jonnie Irwin refuses to tell his children about his cancer diagnosis.
Irwin with his wife and three sons. (Instagram)

"I just feel I earned a bit more from them after 18 years. That was my first job in TV and it was special to me... Now I'm just pushed to the side in favour of someone healthier.

"I could still present that show but I don't think there's any going back now."

Irwin recently went public with his cancer diagnosis after being diagnosed terminally ill in 2020. He was filming A Place In The Sun in Italy when his vision had become blurry while driving. Tests revealed he had lung cancer which had spread to his brain, and he was given six months to live.

He has long exceeded that timeline, and says, ?"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.

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