A friend said she would be ‘absolutely devastated’
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! contestant Scarlette Douglas has “no indication” about her Place in the Sun co-star Jonnie Irwin’s terminal cancer diagnosis, and won’t be told until she leaves the jungle.
Although she was aware of that Irwin was unwell, she did not know how serious his condition was, and has no idea he has only months to live.
Scarlette presented the Channel 4 lifestyle series for seven years, and spent six of them with Jonnie on the show.
But I’m A Celeb rules mean that contestants are not updated about anything in the outside world unless it involves direct family members.
Her friend told MailOnline: “Scarlette will be absolutely devastated. She knew Jonnie had not been well but had no indication he’s only got months to live.”
They added: “They’re good mates and have known each other for years, it’s just so sad. As soon as she’s out and is told, Scarlette will be straight on the phone to him.”
On Monday, the TV presenter announced that he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer.
In an interview with Hello! magazine, Jonnie revealed that two years ago he was given just six months to live.
He 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.”
He explained that he is conscious about maximising his time with his wife, Jessica Holmes, and their sons, three-year-old Rex and two-year-old twins Cormac and Rafa.
Jonnie first became concerned about his health whilst filming for A Place in the Sun in Italy in August 2020. Medical tests later confirmed that he had lung cancer, and he later discovered the disease had spread to his brain.
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He shared that when he learned he had cancer, he found breaking the news to his wife that she was “on her own” as “devastating”
“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 apologise to her. I felt so responsible,” he told Hello! magazine.
He is currently undergoing chemotherapy and other drug treatments.
Jonnie shared photos from the Hello Magazine shoot on Instagram, and was met with support in the comments section.
His co-host Jasmine Harman wrote: “Words can’t fix much, but what lovely words of support you have had here Jonnie. I know you know this already, but I am here for you my dear friend, and Jess and the boys. So, so brave. Sending lots of love, speak soon.”
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