A Place In The Sun viewers divided over 'shameful' tribute to Jonnie Irwin

08 February 2024 , 12:43

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A Place in the Sun paid a tribute to Jonnie Irwin on Monday (Image: Channel 4)

Viewers have been divided by A Place In The Sun's tribute to the late Jonnie Irwin.

The presenter, who worked on the Channel 4 show for over 18 years, sadly died aged 50 this month following a terminal cancer diagnosis. His death was announced last week by his beloved wife Jessica. Tributes soon flooded in for the dad-of-three and A Place In The Sun also shared their own tribute to Jonnie on social media.

This week, the show dedicated an episode to the star as presenter Danni Menzies helped house hunters in Manilva, Spain. At the start of the show, an announcement was made that it would be dedicated to Jonnie. A tribute was also aired after the credits as Jonnie's photo appeared on the screen alongside a message reading: "In memory of Jonnie Irwin 1973-2024."

A tribute to Jonnie aired at the end of the episode (Channel 4)

Viewers took to social media after the episode as one said: "Choking back tears at seeing Jonnie Irwin on his final show, and the tribute at the end! Rest well now Jonnie you fought the hard fight." However, some found the tribute "disappointing". Someone wrote: "Am pleased they dedicated the show to Jonnie Irwin but being honest I’d have expected a programme based around him."

Another fumed: "Wow, they put up a pic of Jonnie at the end for all of two seconds if that. It’s like they couldn’t really give a s**t. A disgrace #APlaceInTheSun." A fourth wrote: "Completely agree! A beautiful tribute to Jonnie on BBC. Shameful for Channel 4 not to do the same." A viewer added: "Totally agree, unless of course, the family have asked for his previous episodes to not be shown as too painful to watch who knows? But all very sad regardless."

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In their tribute on Friday, A Place In The Sun shared a black and white photo of Jonnie on social media. They said: "We are heartbroken. Jonnie was a much-loved part of the A Place In The Sun family for more than 18 years - he brought joy, wit and bundles of energy to the show. We will miss him terribly. Our thoughts are with Jess and the boys and the rest of the family."

In 2022, after publicly disclosing his cancer diagnosis, Jonnie accused A Place in the Sun producers of axing him as presenter after 18 years due to his terminal illness. Jonnie had also worked on BBC's property hunting show Escape to the Country. On Monday, they left viewers in tears with a tribute to the presenter.

It was a special programme presented and recorded by Jonnie before his death. At the start of the show the voice narrator said: "We are heading to the Repair Shop in 45 minutes, but first a change to the billed Escape as we pay tribute to the late Jonnie Irwin here on BBC One." During the episode, Jonnie helped couple Janet and Brian find a home in Somerset.

Viewers took to social media during the episode as one said: "Going to be a sad watch but a nice tribute. I hope one day a cure is found for cancer so we don’t have to say goodbye too earlier R.I.P." Another added: "Lovely tribute to Jonnie Irwin." Someone else commented: "Nice touch BBC rescheduling #escapetothecountry with one featuring Jonnie Irwin." A fourth wrote: "Jonnie Irwin was so good at what he did. As well as being informative he had a great sense of humour. Such a sad loss." At the end of the episode, a montage of Jonnie's moments from the show over the years was played.

The Macmillan Support Line offers confidential support to people living with cancer and their loved ones. If you need to talk, call us on 0808 808 0000.

Mia O'Hare