Jonnie Irwin

Jonathan James Irwin (18 November 1973 – 2 February 2024) was an English television presenter, writer, lecturer, businessman, and property expert. He was best known for presenting the Channel 4 lifestyle programme A Place in the Sun between 2004 and 2021, as well as the BBC daytime programme Escape to the Country between 2010 and 2023.

Jonnie Irwin
Born	Jonathan James Irwin (1973-11-18)18 November 1973 Rugby, Warwickshire, England
Died	2 February 2024(2024-02-02) (aged 50) Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Occupations	Television presenter writer lecturer business expert property expert
Years active	2004–2023
Known for	Presenting A Place in the Sun and Escape to the Country
Spouse	Jessica Holmes ​ (m. 2016)​
Children	3

Early life

Irwin was born on 18 November 1973 in Rugby, Warwickshire, to Avie (née Orr) and James Irwin, a property developer. He grew up on a small farm in the village of Bitteswell, Leicestershire. He was educated at Lutterworth Grammar School and Community College. He obtained a degree from Birmingham City University in estate management.^[1] Irwin's father was Irish.^[2]

Career

Irwin worked for business transfer specialists Christie & Co,^[3] becoming an associate director within three years, before going on to work for Colliers International.

In 2004, he was selected from hundreds of applicants along with co-presenter Jasmine Harman to present Channel 4's^[4] show A Place in the Sun – Home or Away,^[5][6] and filmed over 200 episodes all around Britain. The programme is also broadcast daily on More4, Discovery Real Time and Discovery Travel & Living, as well as channels throughout Europe and the rest of the world.^[7] In 2022, Irwin accused A Place in the Sun producers of axing him as presenter after 18 years due to a cancer diagnosis, leaving his mood "really low".^[8]

Irwin presented episodes of BBC property shows Escape to the Country and To Buy or Not to Buy.^[9] He also presented the spin-off of Escape to the Country, Escape to the Perfect Town.^[10]

In January 2011, Sky 1 broadcast Irwin's own show, titled Dream Lives for Sale,^[11] which saw him help people leave behind their lives in the UK and buy a business. In late 2011 he began a new series, The Renovation Game, which aired on weekday mornings on Channel 4.^[9]

Irwin advised clients on business and property, ranging from small high street gift shops to multimillion pound corporate hotel packages. He ran a property and business consultancy.^[1]

Irwin wrote a regular column for A Place in the Sun magazine.^[12] He appeared at A Place in the Sun Live^[13] giving presentations on his tips for buying property abroad. Irwin also regularly hosted seminars and corporate events.^[14][15]

Personal life

Irwin was a keen sportsman. He played cricket many times for Gumley Cricket Club,^[16] and rugby for Lutterworth RFC and then for Rugby Lions RFC, until an accident in a sevens tournament in which he broke his back and subsequently retired.^[17]

Irwin married Jessica Holmes in September 2016 and they had three sons.^[1] Irwin and his family moved to the Hertfordshire town of Berkhamsted in 2018^[18] and then to the Newcastle upon Tyne area.^[19]

Illness and death

In November 2022, Irwin shared that he had terminal lung cancer,^[20][21] after being diagnosed in August 2020 after experiencing blurred vision while driving. He was given six months to live.^[22][23]

In an interview with Hello!, Irwin said, "I don't know how long I have left, but I try to stay positive and my attitude is that I'm living with cancer, not dying from it. I set little markers – things I want to be around for [...] I'm doing everything I can to hold that day off for as long as possible. I owe that to Jess and our boys. Some people in my position have bucket lists, but I just want us to do as much as we can as a family."^[24][25] Irwin died on 2 February 2024, at the age of 50.^[26][27]