Helen Skelton has vowed to honor the legacy of her late pal Jonnie Iriwin in a heartbreaking tribute on This Morning Live on Monday.
Jonnie died on Friday at the age of 50 after a three-year battle with cancer.
The TV host revealed in November 2022 that his cancer had spread to his brain after he was first diagnosed with lung cancer in 2020.
Alongside co-host Gaby Roslin, 59, Helen, 40, paid tribute to the late presenter, who appeared with her on the BBC show many times.
Helen said: “We celebrate the life of our friend and presenter Jonnie Irwin, who sadly passed away on Friday after a four-year battle with cancer.”
Helen Skelton has vowed to honor the legacy of her late pal Jonnie Iriwin in a heartbreaking tribute on This Morning Live on Monday
Jonnie died on Friday at the age of 50 after a three-year battle with cancer
“Johnny was determined to share his story on Morning Live to get more people talking about difficult topics like end-of-life care and dealing with death.” We want to look back on the incredible impact he had and his Continuing the legacy.”
Before adding: “Now his passion was property, so we also pursued his own renovation project to create a home for his two boys to support them in the future and today we celebrate his life and have the conversation according to Jonnie's wishes around the fort. 'Effects of cancer.'
It came after viewers were left in tears as Escape To The Country paid tribute to the show's host Jonnie in its final episode.
At the end of the programme, BBC bosses created a moving video montage of his best scenes to commemorate his 13 years as presenter.
Emotional fans took to X, formerly Twitter, as they remembered the host and said it was “heartbreaking” to watch his final episode.
They wrote: “It will be a sad watch but a beautiful tribute.” I hope one day a cure for cancer is found so we don't have to say goodbye too soon.
“This is heartbreaking to watch. He's so weakened but still the same beautiful Jonnie.'
“Nice tribute to Jonnie Irwin” and “It’s very sad to see Jonnie like this.”
Alongside co-host Gaby Roslin, 59 (right), Helen, 40 (left), paid tribute to the late presenter, who appeared with her many times on the BBC show
It came after viewers were left in tears as Escape To The Country paid tribute to the show's host Jonnie in its final episode
“Lovely tribute showing #JohnnieIrwin has been kind and silly over the years at the end of #EscapetotheCountry – I hope #aplaceinthesun does the same.”
On the show, Jonnie helped retired couple Janet and Brian find a country house in Somerset on a budget of £625,000. The couple fell in love with the £600,000 mystery house.
A Place In The Sun and Escape To The Country paid tribute to the presenter on Friday following his death.
The real estate expert began by presenting what was then called “A Place In The Sun: Home Or Away?” with Jasmine Harman in 2004, while he has also appeared in other property shows such as I Escaped To The Country and Escape To The Country on the BBC.
Bosses from Jonnie's TV show A Place In The Sun shared a tribute on Instagram following his death.
Escape To The Country remembered Jonnie with a video montage at the end of the show
BBC bosses put together the 45-minute program of Jonnie's highlights to commemorate his 13 years as presenter. The show will air on Monday
On the show, Jonnie helped retired couple Janet and Brian find a country house in Somerset on a budget of £625,000
One of the highlights was when the presenter tried his luck at surfing
Viewers were emotional watching the happy moments with Jonnie over the years
Emotional fans took to X, formerly Twitter, as they remembered the presenter
A Place In The Sun paid tribute to the presenter on Friday following his death
The real estate expert began by presenting what was then called “A Place In The Sun: Home Or Away?” with Jasmine Harman in 2004
Jonnie has also appeared on other property shows such as I Escaped To The Country and Escape To The Country on the BBC
Underneath an image from the station, a message read: “Jonnie Irwin 1973 – 2024. We are heartbroken.” Jonnie was a beloved part of the A Place in the Sun family for more than 18 years – bringing joy, humor and plenty Energy into the show.
“We will miss him terribly.” “Our thoughts are with Jess and the boys and the rest of the family.”
Separately, Rob Unsworth, head of BBC Daytime and Early Peak Commissioning, said in a statement: “Jonnie Irwin was an extraordinary man and a wonderful presenter.” He brought so much warmth and fun to “Escape to the Country” where he didn't was an absolute favorite not only with the viewers, but also with the production team.
“More recently he has written some truly inspiring accounts of his illness for Morning Live, addressing taboos surrounding end-of-life care and beautifully demonstrating the boundless positivity he brought to everything he did.”
“His kindness will be greatly missed by everyone he worked with and our thoughts go out to his family and friends at this sad time.”
John Comerford, head of Naked West and executive producer of Escape to the Country, said: “We are incredibly sad to hear the news about Jonnie.”
“He has been the focus of Escape to the Country for 14 years and will be a great loss to our production team and all the viewers who loved watching him on the series.”
“Jonnie was smart, warm and funny, never lacking for a mischievous and insightful line, and always putting the show's cast at ease.” All the teams he worked with loved him.
Jonnie's wife Jessica Holmes announced his death in a heartbreaking tribute on Friday
On Instagram, she described her beloved partner as a “truly remarkable husband.”
“He is an unimaginable loss to the Escape family. “We extend our love and heartfelt condolences to Jess and his beautiful boys.”
Jonnie's wife Jessica announced the sad news of his death on social media on Friday.
Sharing a picture of her and Jonnie, Jessica wrote on Instagram: “It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Jonnie’s passing. A truly remarkable soul, he bravely battled cancer with unwavering strength and courage
“Jonnie touched the lives of so many people with his kindness, warmth and infectious spirit.”
“At this time, we kindly ask for Jonnie's family's privacy as they cope with this difficult loss. “Your grief is immeasurable and we greatly appreciate your thoughts, prayers and support.
“As we remember the beautiful moments with Jonnie, we celebrate a life well lived and a legacy that will forever remain in our hearts.” “Jonnie may have faded from our sight, but his love, his laughter and his Memories will live on.”
“Rest in peace, dear Jonnie. You will be sorely missed but never forgotten.'
From Lutterworth to Lanzarote: How former estate agent Jonnie Irwin's TV career took off after beating hundreds to present A Place in the Sun
TV presenter Jonnie Irwin has revealed he has terminal cancer and said he hopes sharing his terminal cancer diagnosis will inspire others to “make the most of every day”.
Jonnie Irwin was born in 1973, grew up in Bitteswell, Leicestershire and attended Lutterworth Grammar School and community college before becoming an estate agent.
In 2004, Irwin, along with co-host Jasmine Harman, was selected from hundreds of applicants to host Channel 4's show A Place In The Sun – Home Or Away. The real estate program was a surprise success and widespread. Irwin also regularly presents the BBC's Escape To The Country and To Buy Or Not To Buy.
In January 2011, Sky 1 aired Irwin's own show called Dream Lives for Sale, in which he helped people leave their lives in the UK to buy their dream business.
Later that year he started a new series, The Renovation Game, which aired weekday mornings on Channel 4.
Outside of his legal practice, he also works as commercial director for Judicare, which describes itself as a “specialist law firm providing its clients with legal advice on all matters relating to real estate abroad”.
Irwin married Jessica Holmes in September 2016. They have three sons together and lived in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire before moving to Newcastle.
On November 13, Irwin was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. He told Hello magazine: “I don't know how long I have left but I'm trying to stay positive and my attitude is that I'm living with the cancer, not dying from it.”