Updated July 28th, 2023

Joy As Famous TV Star, 49, Battling Stage Four Lung Cancer Says He’s Feeling Stronger

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Living with Cancer

TV host Jonnie Irwin, 49, is currently battling stage four lung cancer that has spread to his brain. But in a recent update, he says he’s feeling “a little bit stronger” every week.
Ever since his diagnosis in 2020, Irwin has been making a point to keep doing the things he loves like working and making memories with his family. His latest goal is to try to feel strong enough to go on a vacation with his family this summer.
When you’re dealing with stage four lung cancer, the narrative switches from trying to cure your disease to trying to live well with your disease.
Experts recommend anyone facing cancer should make sure they continue to prioritize their overall wellbeing and do the things that they love.

Jonnie Irwin, 49, has endured a harrowing battle with lung cancer the past few years. But a recent update suggests he’s feeling “a little bit stronger” every week.

The famous TV host, known for his work on BBC's "Escape to the Country," has been battling metastatic, or stage four, lung cancer since 2020. It’s been a tough battle, but Irwin is focusing on his work, spending time with friends and, most importantly, making memories with his family.

In a recent update for “The Sun,” Irwin talked about how the disease has impacted his everyday life.

“It’s brilliant until I’ve just had enough and have to go and have a lie down. But it’s been amazing these past couple of years even though I’ve had my illness to battle,” he said. “I get more tired, my appetite has been affected, but I’m just trying to do as much as possible all the time really.”

His latest goal is to feel strong enough to go on a family vacation this summer.

“I really would like to go on holiday every week I feel a little bit stronger,” he explained. “I don’t think I would be able to go long haul, I wouldn’t feel comfortable but if I could go somewhere in Spain, Portugal or Italy that would be great.”

Jonnie Irwin’s Cancer Battle

Jonnie Irwin’s cancer journey began when symptoms arrived in August 2020. His first symptom occurred during a filming trip when his vision went blurry while driving. After he returned home, he was told he had metastatic lung cancer that had spread to his brain.

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"Within a week of flying back from filming, I was being given six months to live," he said. "I had to go home and tell my wife, who was looking after our babies, that she was on her own pretty much. That was devastating. All I could do was apologize to her. I felt so responsible."

He’s taken chemotherapy and other cancer drugs to help prolong his life, but Irwin knows his disease does not technically have a cure. Still, he’s focusing on the positive and determined to make as many memories with his wife Jessica Holmes and their three toddler-age boys.

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"One day, this is going to catch up with me," he said. "But 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."

Living with Cancer

When you’re dealing with stage four lung cancer, the narrative switches from trying to cure your disease to trying to live well with your disease. And that can be very physically and emotionally taxing.

But experts recommend anyone facing cancer should make sure they continue to prioritize their overall wellbeing and do the things that they love just like Jonnie Irwin is doing. Dr. Dana Chase, a gynecological oncologist at Arizona Center for Cancer Care, says people with cancer should be making time to do things that make them happy.

Dr. Dana Chase encourages those facing cancer to find moments of joy during treatment

"We know from good studies that emotional health is associated with survival, meaning better quality of life is associated with better outcomes," Chase said. "So working on your emotional health, your physical well-being, your social environment [and] your emotional well-being are important and can impact your survival. If that's related to what activities you do that bring you joy, then you should try to do more of those activities."

Rules For Living With Cancer

When it comes to living with lung cancer, specifically, thoracic oncologist Dr. Geoffrey Oxnard shared the three things he tells his lung cancer patients to try to do when living with the disease:

Don't act sick "You can't mope around," he said. "Do things, and in doing things, you will stay active."
Don't lose weight "Eat what you need to do to not lose weight," he said. "I like my patients pleasantly plump."
Don't be a tough guy "When you've got lung cancer, you need work with your doctor to keep your medical conditions under control."

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