TV host dying of cancer holds early 50th party

Jonnie Irwin, the TV presenter, has celebrated his 50th birthday early after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Irwin, who hosts A Place in the Sun and Escape to the Country, revealed last year that his lung cancer had spread to his brain.

The early birthday saw Irwin host a party with almost 200 friends and relatives invited from far and wide.

He said: “It was a great night. I chose a playlist with some great tunes from the 1990s and 2000s and people came from all over the country and abroad.

“I just wanted to do something to celebrate my birthday and had no idea how many people would actually turn up. It was incredible.”