BBC airs tribute to property TV presenter Jonnie Irwin
Irwin, who also worked for 'A Place in the Sun', died earlier this week after announcing he had cancer 15 months ago.
The BBC has broadcast a tribute to property TV presenter Jonnie Irwin following the airing of his final appearance for its Escape to the Country show.
Irwin’s family announced his death last week some 15 months after the then 48-year-old revealed he had been diagnosed with cancer of the lung and later brain, documenting his family life on social media as well as his different attempts to prolong his life following a terminal diagnosis.
Escape to the Country’s minute-long sample of outtakes from his 14 years presenting the programme followed his final programme in which he helped a retired couple find their ideal rural retreat.
A compilation of his work for the programme followed showing him falling out of a boat, fishing, riding on a children’s train, mucking about on camera and walking along the beach at sunset.
Afterwards, the black screen aired briefly again, before a picture of Jonnie smiling was shown with the caption: “Jonnie Irwin 1973 – 2024″.
Extraordinary man
Rob Unsworth (pictured), Head of BBC Daytime and Early Peak Commissioning, said: “Jonnie Irwin was an extraordinary man and wonderful presenter. He brought such warmth and fun to Escape to the Country, where he was a firm favourite with not just viewers, but the production team too.
“More recently, he did some truly inspirational reports for Morning Live about his illness, tackling taboos around end-of-life care, and wonderfully demonstrating the limitless positivity that he brought to everything he did.
“His kindness will be hugely missed by everyone he worked with. We are sending all of our thoughts to his family and friends at this sad time.”
Irwin, who also made his name presenting for Channel 4 property show A Place in the Sun after a career initially in surveying, leaves behind a wife, Jessica and three sons.
