Jonnie Irwin has revealed the key to his success in battling terminal cancer.
The 49-year-old presenter shared on Instagram on Tuesday that he would be heading off on a family holiday to the Costa del Sol following his release from hospital.
The A Place in The Sun star was diagnosed with terminal cancer after a tumor in his lung spread to his brain. However, he was able to leave the hospital while his liver function showed signs of improvement.
Filming himself in the airport terminal, he told his followers: “I woke up this morning feeling a bit better, still slightly jaundiced but I’m about to get on a flight to southern Spain.”
“I cleared it up with my oncologist and he said, ‘Well, there are hospitals in Spain and, to be fair, they don’t follow the rules anyway.’ But I think that’s probably part of my experience so far Success!’
Speaking up: Jonnie Irwin revealed the key to his success in battling terminal cancer as he posted from the airport terminal on Tuesday before flying to the Costa del Sol to enjoy the winter sun
Jonnie continued: “Hopefully my liver continues to get a little better and my family and I wake up tomorrow to blue skies in the south of Spain… Bon voyage to us.”
He captioned his video: “Time for some power and a break from hospitals and construction workers and them a break from me!”
“Luckily a mate needs accommodation so there’s someone to keep an eye on everyone while I’m away as it’s a big week locally too.” #livelifetothefull #sunshine #escape #costadelsol #mijas #holiday # livelife.’
Jonnie plans to celebrate his milestone 50th birthday in Spain on Saturday, although doctors believe he won’t make it until 2023.
The star revealed last November that his cancer had spread from his lungs to his brain after being initially diagnosed in 2020.
But Jonnie’s incredible strength also ensured he celebrated his twins’ third birthday in June, a milestone medics thought he would never see.
Last week Jonnie was in hospital being observed every four hours because he had jaundice, fever and pain in his right side.
He tried to remain optimistic as he said it was all part of the roller coaster ride of life leading up to his birthday next Friday.
Fun in the sun: Jonnie jetted off with his wife Jessica Holmes and their children Rex, four, and two-year-old twins Rafa and Cormac (pictured in January).
Posting a picture from his hospital bed on his Instagram, Jonnie told fans: “Back in hospital – jaundice since Friday.”
“I had a fever and severe stabbing pain in my right side. Turns out I probably had an infection and otter issues, which I won’t bore you with.’
He added: I was given IV fluids, had blood drawn regularly and had observations every 4 hours day and night.
“I didn’t think I’d be watching @bbcmorninglive from a hospital bed but it’s just part of the rollercoaster life that this illness has on you.”
He continued: “I have to admit that I was particularly touched by the team’s birthday message on my birthday next Friday – thank you very much.”
“I have another scan today followed by a meeting with my oncologist. So I’m keeping my fingers crossed for positive news.”
Two weeks before Rafa and Cormac’s birthday, Jonnie weighed just under two kilos and was too weak to walk.
“At my weakest point I thought, ‘This is it, this is the beginning of the end,'” he told The Sun. “I couldn’t eat, I had incredible pain in my back and was just skin and bones.”
But Jonnie refused to give up and after returning to his family, he forced himself out of bed, drank protein shakes and spent hours in an oxygen tent to curb the disease’s growth.
With the help of treatment, including chemotherapy, he has now built up his strength and weighs 3.6kg.
“I’m not going to let cancer define me,” he added.
Health problems: The 49-year-old A Place in The Sun presenter was diagnosed with terminal cancer after a tumor in his lung spread to his brain and was not expected to survive until 2023