A Place in the Sun's Jonnie Irwin says he can't tell his kids this Christmas might be his last
A Place in the Sun's Jonnie Irwin has said he will not tell his kids that this Christmas might be his last following his cancer diagnosis.
In November, Irwin announced he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2020 after his lung cancer had spread to his brain and liver.
Doctors had given the TV presenter six months to live, leaving Irwin determined to make it a great Christmas this year.
He sat down with his wife Jess in an interview with the Daily Mail, where he admitted he can't tell the kids that this Christmas might be his last.
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The couple have three sons - Rex who turns four on Christmas day, and two-year-old twins Rafa and Cormac.
Irwin will be hosting Christmas this year, with members of the extended family also coming to celebrate.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, the couple explained how they wanted to preserve their children's innocence and 'blissful ignorance' surrounding Irwin's cancer for as long as possible.
Irwin said: "When I'm more frail or in bed for days we might [tell them]. If you have 20 days left, why spend them in mourning and confusion?
"Why not just have 15 days of pure, blissful ignorance and five days of knowing the facts?"
Jess added: "It's OK to do nothing - you don't have to have that conversation. Why put yourself through it?"
But Irwin did discuss the possibility of telling older son Rex one day, something he says he was not 'looking forward to'.
Irwin said: " I'm not looking forward to the chat with Rex. We're still thinking about it. I've learnt that it's best to do nothing if you're unsure."
In the interview, Irwin said the couple are 'hurtling towards where we don't want to be', but are adamant to make the most out of every day.
He said: "We try to carry on as normal. We made a decision not to mourn and to make the most of every day. I’m still working — I’m doing a voice-over this afternoon — I try to manufacture positive thoughts.
"People say, 'How do you stay so upbeat?' - It’s a bit of an act, really.
"These last couple of months I haven’t liked having no energy, being doubled up in pain.
"I’m probably more stubborn than positive.
"But I have this determination to achieve something every day. I feel guilty if I sit down."
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week
Callum Jones