Jonnie Irwin says 'every day is a gift' in new update on cancer battle

Irwin opened up on his health last year and has now spoken about why he chose to share his diagnosis with the public.

"As soon as I spoke out I feel I could breathe. I could talk to people about why I felt ill, and why I was losing weight," he told the Express.

"You can still work. Look at me now. I don't think the doctors were expecting me to see 2023. Here I am, and I'm available for work and especially available for parties."

The father of three admitted he has remained positive but has had some daily struggles.

He said: "Today is a good day. Yesterday, I peeled myself out of my bed after some painkillers. I take every day as a gift and as it comes."

Escape to the Country was nominated for the Daytime show award at the TRIC Awards in London on Tuesday.

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Irwin admitted his co-stars including Jules Hudson and Nicki Chapman were like a "family" to him and supported him throughout his journey.

He added: "I've had the most fun and it's [the show that is] most like a family than any other production that I've ever worked on. It's exciting."

The television star has not informed his children – Rex, four, and two-year-old twins Rafa and Cormac – about his diagnosis.

But speaking at the awards ceremony, he shared that his sons have marked a new milestone.

He said: "They are noisy. They're amazing. They are the spit of their mum but loud as me which is a real worry for the population generally."

He added: "They're all learning to ride bikes, pretty much at the same time. It's a handful.

"It's not easy but thanks to my whirlwind of a wife we're getting there. But it's mostly down to Jess, my wife."