FORMER A Place In The Sun star Jonnie Irwin has revealed what he wants for his three young sons' futures as he battles terminal cancer.
The 49-year-old TV presenter spoke to Hello! ahead of Father's Day and reflected on being a parent, and his wishes for his boys.
He said: "I had a tough upbringing and I've managed to do a lot in my life, despite that, but I don't want them to struggle.
"I want them to have the confidence of a public school boy, but also be streetwise lads.
"They're happy kids, they laugh, and are a lot of fun to have around."
Jonnie is yet to tell his children – Rex, three, and two-year-old twins Rafa and Cormac – about his illness.
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Instead, he's focused on making memories and spending quality time with them, free of the sadness and worry the news will bring to them.
He said: "I keep being asked, 'Are you going to tell them?' but tell them what?It would be horrible news that they'd have to get their heads around. And it would confuse the hell out of Rex – he's got a shocking enough day coming. Let's bury our heads in the sand for as long as possible."
Last month Jonnie changed his pain management regime while continuing his broadcasting work.
Fans shared their support for the presenter and sent their well wishes.
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"Fingers crossed for you, hope you get the pain relief you need! Loved you on that show," an Instagram user said.
"Sending best wishes Jonny! You’re my favourite on A Place in the Sun and on Escape," another added.
Jonnie previously explained how he'd twice been close to death with his illness on the new OneChat podcast.
Doctors told him he only had six months to live when they discovered lung cancer two-and-a-half years ago.
He defied those predictions, despite the cancer spreading to his brain.
Finding a silver lining in the horrific situation, Jonnie said that living with cancer had meant he was able to spend more time with his sons.
Jonnie, who is married to Jessica Holmes, said: "I’ve been home more than ever before and I’m lucky to have seen every bit of their upbringing, and see how they change.
"That makes me very proud. And I’m kind of thankful for that."
A Place in the Sun said they didn’t want to replace Jonnie, but were no longer able to insure him when he was filming abroad.
In the podcast interview, Jonnie said he kept the diagnosis a secret because he "had to pay the bills" and revealed how he felt about the treatment he received from show bosses.
He said: "As soon as you say you’ve got cancer, people just write you off, people just think you are going to cark it.
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"Unfortunately, one of the companies claimed they couldn’t insure me and so they didn’t renew my contract and left a massive hole in my income.
"I felt like I’d been thrown on a scrap heap. They recruited within a week and then I saw someone else doing my job."
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