Jonnie Irwin says he feels ‘really privileged’ as he celebrates milestone 50th birthday in Spain with wife Jessica and their three children amid terminal cancer battle

Jonnie Irwin celebrated his milestone 50th birthday on Sunday in Spain after being diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and was given six months to live two years earlier.

The TV presenter marked the occasion in Costa Del Sol with his wife Jessica Holmes and their sons, Rex, four, and twins Rafa and Cormac, three.

Jonnie revealed he had a birthday party earlier in the year as he ‘didn’t think he’d make it’ to the big day. 

Speaking to Hello!, he said: ‘I feel really privileged to be able to celebrate my birthday looking at blue skies and with sand between my toes.

‘I had an early birthday party at the start of the year because I didn’t think I’d make it. It was like being at my own wake; lots of fun, lots of dancing. But here I am. I view it as a complete triumph.’

 ‘I feel privileged’: Jonnie Irwin celebrated his milestone 50th birthday on Sunday in Spain after being diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and was given six months to live two years earlier

‘I view it as a triumph’: The TV presenter marked the occasion in Costa Del Sol with his wife Jessica Holmes and their sons, Rex, four, and twins Rafa and Cormac, three

He went on to say the life threatening illness has forced him to really appreciate everyday. 

He added: ‘Every little thing is so valuable to me, even kicking the ball against the wall for half hour,’ he told the publication. It’s so special and being away with my wife and kids for my 50th is brilliant.’

The A Place in The Sun star was diagnosed with terminal cancer after a tumour in his lung spread to his brain but has been allowed out of hospital while his liver function shows signs of improvement.

Filming himself inside the airport terminal ahead of jetting off to Spain, he told his followers: ‘I woke up this morning feeling a bit better, still slightly jaundice-y, but I’m about to jump on a flight to southern Spain.

‘I did clear it with with my oncologist, and he said, “Well, there are hospitals in Spain and in fairness, you don’t play by the rules anyway.” But my thoughts are, that’s probably part of my success so far!’

Jonnie continued: ‘Hopefully my liver continues to get a bit better and me and my family, we wake up tomorrow, to blue skies in southern Spain… Bon voyage to us.’

He captioned his video: ‘Time for some current bun and a break from hospitals and builder and them a break from me!

‘Thankfully a mate needs somewhere to crash so there’s someone to keep an eye on everyone whilst I’m away as it’s a big week on site too. #livelifetothefull #sunshine #escape #costadelsol #mijas #holiday #livelife.’

‘It was like being at my own wake’: Jonnie revealed he had a birthday party earlier in the year as he ‘didn’t think he’d make it’ to the big day

He said: ‘I feel really privileged to be able to celebrate my birthday. I had an early birthday party at the start of the year because I didn’t think I’d make it. It was like being at my own wake; lots of fun, lots of dancing. But here I am. I view it as a complete triumph’

Health woes: The A Place in The Sun presenter was diagnosed with terminal cancer after a tumour in his lung spread to his brain and was not expected to make it to 2023

Jonnie is planning to celebrate his milestone 50th birthday in Spain on Saturday, despite doctors believing he wouldn’t make it to 2023.

The star revealed last November that his cancer had spread from his lung to his brain after initially being diagnosed in 2020.

Yet Jonnie’s incredible strength also saw him make his twins third birthday back in June, a milestone medical professionals believed he would never see.

Last week, Jonnie was in hospital and being observed every four hours after having jaundice, fever and pains in his right hand side.

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