A Place in the Sun viewers left emotional after tribute to late host Jonnie Irwin

Viewers of the popular property show A Place in the Sun were left in tears as the programme paid a heartfelt tribute to its late host, Jonnie Irwin. The 50-year-old presenter sadly passed away on Friday after a courageous three-year battle with cancer. Known for his charm and cheeky manner, Jonnie had been hosting the show from 2004 until 2021 when he was forced to step down due to his terminal cancer diagnosis.

The episode, which followed house hunters in the beautiful Manilva, Spain, was dedicated to Jonnie at the start as a mark of respect. At the end of the programme, viewers were treated to a touching tribute, featuring a photo of Jonnie on the beach from one of the show’s trips abroad.

Fans took to Twitter, now known as ‘X’, to express their emotions, with many admitting they had to ‘choke back tears’ while watching the tribute. The sentiments poured in, with viewers praising Jonnie as a genuine and delightful presenter. Some hoped for clips of Jonnie to be shown as a fitting tribute to his legacy.

Jonnie began his journey as a property expert on the show A Place in the Sun: Home or Away? in 2004 alongside his co-star, Danni Menzies. After beating hundreds of applicants, he secured the role and went on to film over 200 episodes of the show. Despite his terminal diagnosis, Jonnie continued to bring joy to viewers and inspire them with his passion for the property market.

In 2022, Jonnie expressed his disappointment when his contract was not renewed following his diagnosis. He lamented the fact that he would no longer be able to travel and provide for his family, as he believed being a TV presenter was his defining role. However, his indomitable spirit shone through as he faced the challenges that lay ahead.

The outpouring of emotion from viewers not only occurred on A Place in the Sun but also on another show Jonnie hosted, Escape to the Country. The tribute episodes on both shows demonstrated the impact Jonnie had on the hearts and minds of his loyal audience.