Escape to the Country fans were thrilled Tuesday when an old episode hosted by the late Jonnie Irwin aired, months after his tragic death.
The presenter died in February at the age of 50, three years after he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of lung cancer in 2020.
He left behind his wife Jessica Holme and their young sons Rex, four, and twins Rafa and Cormac, two.
On Tuesday afternoon, the BBC broadcast a repeat of a 2022 episode in North Yorkshire, where Jonnie was helping Ian find a new home for £350,000, after returning to the UK from Hong Kong.
But the episode was tinged with melancholy, as it was one of the last to feature Jonnie before his passing.
Escape to the Country fans were thrilled on Tuesday when an old episode hosted by the late Jonnie Irwin aired, months after his tragic death (pictured).
The presenter died in February at the age of 50, three years after he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of lung cancer in 2020.
He left behind his wife Jessica Holme and young sons Rex, four, and twins Rafa and Cormac, two (pictured).
Viewers couldn’t help but be distracted by the sad reminder and took to social media to remember the host and praise him for his presentation skills and optimism.
They wrote: ‘Hearing Jonnie Irwin’s distinctive voice on #EscapeToTheCountry. He fought his battle against cancer with dignity and without seeking attention. God bless you, you were a brilliant presenter.’
‘The episode of Escape to the Country with #JonnieIrwin will now air on Tuesday 11 June. It’s lovely to see that Jonnie still had his cheeky sense of humour; Johnnie Irwin episode today, RIP #escapetothecountry’.
‘It is very sad to turn on the television and hear Jonnie Irwin’s voice, talking about having three children in diapers; Great to watch one of #JonnieIrwin’s episodes on #EscapeToTheCountry now bbc ONE. What a great guy and presenter he was!’
It comes after Jonnie’s widow spoke candidly about his final moments as she tearfully reflected on her loving marriage.
Jessica, who fell for the presenter in 2015 after meeting through mutual friends, said the pair “weren’t best friends, they were lovers”.
Talking with Hello! magazine last month, Jessica wiped away tears and said, “She told me, ‘I’m so happy to have met you,’ and that she knew the kids would have the most joy and fun that a person could give.
‘We had a lot of fun, Jonnie and I, we were never boring, we weren’t best friends, we were lovers; there was passion’.
On Tuesday afternoon, the BBC broadcast a repeat of a 2022 episode in North Yorkshire, where Jonnie was helping Ian find a new home for £350,000, after returning to the UK from Hong Kong.
But the episode was tinged with melancholy, as it was one of the last to feature Jonnie before his passing.
Viewers couldn’t help but be distracted by the sad reminder and took to social media to remember the host and praise him for his presentation skills and optimism.
Jonnie presented the property show A Place In The Sun from 2004 to 2021, when he was forced to resign due to his terminal cancer diagnosis.
Jessica cared for Jonnie at home during the last days of his life and was supported by nurses.
She said his death was “cruel because of how quick it was” as he returned home from hospital and did not leave his bed before passing away days later.
Jess admitted that she was in denial that this was the end because she expected him to have a “neurological decline” because days before he was “jokingly giving her grief” for something.
She revealed that her eldest son, Rex, went to Jonnie’s room to see him before he passed away and Jess explained that she believes her little one “knew something wasn’t right because he kissed Jonnie’s hand.”
Jessica announced the news of his death in a heartbreaking tribute earlier this year.
Jonnie was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2020 and two years later he went public that the cancer had spread and was terminal.
Jessica remained a strong pillar of support during the difficult battle for her husband’s health.
It comes after Jonnie’s widow spoke candidly about his final moments as she tearfully reflected on her loving marriage.
Jessica, who fell for the presenter in 2015 after meeting through mutual friends, said the pair “weren’t best friends, they were lovers”.
The couple, who married in 2016 on what Jonnie lovingly described as “the happiest weekend of my life”, have three children.
When Jonnie was fit and healthy, he enjoyed several walking holidays with his group of “brothers” and Jess revealed she recently gave friends some of his ashes to “scatter on the top of a mountain” in the Lake District.
She told the publication: ‘On their last trip they hired electric bikes to make things easier for Jonnie and went to the Lake District. Two weeks ago, the others came back and I said, “Do you want to take some of it?” “Then they scattered some of his ashes on the top of a mountain.”
Jess went on to reveal that the family are currently looking for a special tree to plant in Northumberland so that Jonnie’s ashes can be planted into the roots, as “that was his wish.”
He added that his death was “cruel because of how quick it was,” as he returned home from the hospital and did not leave his bed before dying days later.
She revealed that her eldest son, Rex, went to Jonnie’s room to see him before he passed away and Jess explained how she believes her little one “knew something wasn’t right because he kissed Jonnie’s hand.”
