Jonnie Irwin’s widow says ‘sadness is huge’ in heartbreaking update

Jonnie Irwin’s wife Jessica Holmes has shared her grief in an Instagram update after losing him to cancer earlier this month.

The A Place In The Sun presenter died on February 2nd at the age of 50 after he was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in 2020, which then spread to his brain.

The TV personality previously shared at the time that he was initially given six months to live.

He spent the last months of his life with his family, on holiday, renovating their family home and meeting up with friends and colleagues.

Jonnie leaves behind Jess, who he married in 2016, and their three children: Rex, three, and twins Rafa and Cormac, two.

In a heartbreaking post shared with her 12,000 followers on Instagram, Jess wrote: “It still doesn’t feel real. The sadness is huge. I can’t even let myself think what another week without Jonnie will be like let alone another year another 10 years. 

“I have been truly touched by all the support from friends and strangers. But nothing compares to how I have been picked up by my family and Jonnies sisters , your support and love means everything to me. “

The accompanying image showed a picture of sun shining over cliffs by the sea, as she added: “I am loving watching the boys enjoy some days in the sun and having a change of scene is just what we needed.” 

Fans and friends dashed to the comments section, flooding her with support and sending their love.

One person wrote: “The world is sad with you…one foot in front of the other…sending love.”

Another put: “It’s super hard, taking strength from friends and family helps as does time, you just do it your way with their help and keep him in your heart, talk to him and love him from afar as only those who have lost can.”

And someone else typed: “You and the boys have been in my thoughts during this time of grief. Words are not enough. Jonnie was an inspiration to so many people and he’ll never be forgotten.”

Jess confirmed the devastating news of Jonnie’s passing in a heartfelt Instagram earlier this month.

Alongside a picture of Jonnie laughing at a dinner table in good times gone by, she wrote: “Good night my favourite. Thank you for everything. I will always love you.

“The hardest day has come, a day I prayed wouldn’t come. It’s with all the the saddness in the world that I confirm Jonnie has passed away earlier today. 

“His magical brain that continued to fight to the end has now gone to sleep. He has given me more than I could ever have wished for, 8 bonkers years of love and adventure and 3 amazing boys. 

“I will continue to make you proud but only with your love still finding me and guiding me for the rest of my life, me and the boys still need you. Jonnie you really were the most handsome man I ever knew and I am so sorry for this cruel end. It really wasn’t fair and you didn’t deserve any of this. 

“You gave so much time to others and touched everyone you met, I have never experienced anything like the effect you had on people. I love you so much and forever proud of you.”

Jonnie had initially kept his diagnosis private but made the decision to go public with it in a bid to convince others suffering symptoms to go and seek help as early as they can, as well as inspire those living with life limiting prospects to live the time they have to its fullest.

Speaking to Hello! Magazine in an exclusive interview at the time, he said: “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.

“But now I want to make plans. I want to make memories and capture these moments with my family because the reality is, my boys are going to grow up not knowing their dad and that breaks my heart.”