Friday 25 November 2022 01:53 AM A Place In The Sun's Jonnie Irwin has been 'showered with love' by fans trends now
A Place In The Sun star Jonnie Irwin has revealed he's been 'showered with love' by fans since he revealed he was axed from the Channel 4 show following his cancer diagnosis.
The presenter, 49, was given just six months to live when he was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer, which has spread to his brain, in August 2020, and publicly shared his prognosis earlier this month.
Now, Jonny has admitted he 'had no idea how much people liked what he did' on the series, until he was flooded with supportive comments and messages from fans offering their sympathies.
Reflecting: A Place In The Sun star Jonnie Irwin has revealed he's been 'showered with love' by fans since he revealed he was axed from the Channel 4 show following his cancer diagnosis
He told The Sun: 'I've had messages from people all over the world, wishing me well. Thousands of people have left me heart-warming comments on Instagram and I promise I will try to read them all.
'They range from practical, scientific advice to ones from very religious people. There are thousands and thousands of them on my social media platforms and it's been great.
'I've not hidden away but I'm not bothered about the limelight. I had no idea how much people really liked what I did and I know that now.'
Kind: The presenter (pictured with Jasmine Harman) had 'no idea how much people liked what he did' when he was flooded with messages, after revealing he was axed from the show
In an interview on Wednesday, Jonny revealed that after sharing his cancer diagnosis with A Place In The Sun bosses, his contract was not renewed, with Jonnie admitting the decision 'broke my heart.'
Bosses expressed their sympathies to him in a statement on Thursday, while clarifying why they were unable to renew his contract following his cancer diagnosis.
Free Form Productions, who make the programme, said they were 'unable to secure adequate insurance cover' for him to continue international filming amid the Covid-19 crisis and said they understood his 'frustration' at the decision.
Clarification: After Jonnie shared that that he was axed following his diagnosis, bosses expressed their sympathies and clarified why they were unable to renew his contract
A statement released to MailOnline read: 'Jonnie has been a hugely important part of the A Place In The Sun family for over 18 years and all of us were deeply saddened by his diagnosis.
'Much loved by everyone on the production, no stone was left unturned in trying to enable Jonnie to continue his international filming with us during Covid but the production company were unable to secure adequate insurance cover for him.
'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. We of course understand how frustrating this must be for him at this incredibly difficult time.
The former estate agent's TV career began in 2004 when he was selected from hundreds of applicants to co-present A Place in the Sun with Jasmine Harman.
He was the programme's longest-serving presenter, alongside Jasmine, who is still with the show.
In 2010, he won more fans by becoming a regular host of Escape to the Country, and he has continued filming for the show since his diagnosis and throughout treatment.
Trip: Earlier this month, MailOnline unearthed footage of Jonnie sipping Puglian olive oil on his last trip for A Place in the Sun in 2020, before he discovered he had terminal cancer
Addressing his axe on Thursday's episode of Good Morning Britain, he said: 'When I was told I couldn't do it they broke my heart, but I don't think they thought of me. I've been bowled over by some people and the desire to help me and my family.
'Not working on A Place In The Sun any more has affected my mental health. I'm a family man now but being a TV presenter defines you and not being able to travel and provide for my family.'
He added in a chat with The Sun: 'Within
