Jasmine Harman has shared a deeply emotional tribute to her late A Place In The Sun co-star Jonnie Irwin, marking what would have been his 52nd birthday. The heartfelt social media post comes months after Irwin's passing in February 2024 following his courageous battle with lung cancer.
A Friendship Spanning Decades
The television presenters had worked together on the beloved Channel 4 property show since its launch in 2004, developing a close friendship that extended far beyond their professional relationship. Harman, 50, marked Irwin's birthday by sharing a nostalgic throwback photograph showing the pair during a night out, both beaming with joyful smiles.
She accompanied the image with a poignant message: 'Happy heavenly birthday dearest Jonnie. We miss you so much, but especially this weekend when I was celebrating my 50th.' Harman reflected on their long-standing friendship, noting 'You were there at my 30th birthday, and my 40th - always the life and soul of the party.'
Remembering Jonnie's Legacy
Harman expressed her disbelief at having reached the same age as her friend, writing 'I never thought the day would come when I would catch up with you in age. The last time we saw each other was your 50th birthday!' The photograph she shared dates back twenty years, with Harman vowing to 'always treasure the memories of the fun times we had.'
Jonnie Irwin had been forced to step away from presenting A Place In The Sun in 2021 following his lung cancer diagnosis. He left behind his wife Jessica Holmes and their three young sons - five-year-old Rex and three-year-old twins Rafa and Cormac.
Family Tributes and Lasting Memories
Jessica Holmes previously shared intimate details of her final moments with her husband in an emotional interview with HELLO magazine. She recalled Jonnie's touching final words: 'He told me, "I'm so happy I met you," and that he knew the boys would have the most joy and fun a person could bring.'
Jessica described their relationship as passionate, stating 'We had so much fun, Jonnie and me, we were never boring, we weren't best friends, we were lovers; there was passion.' She cared for Jonnie at their home during his final days, supported by nursing staff.
The family continues to honour Jonnie's memory in meaningful ways. Jessica revealed she gave some of his ashes to friends who recently returned to the Lake District, where they had enjoyed walking holidays together. 'They sprinkled some of his ashes on the top of a mountain,' she shared, creating a lasting tribute to the adventurous spirit he maintained throughout his life.
Following his passing, documents revealed that Irwin left his entire estate, valued at nearly £1 million, to his wife Jessica, ensuring financial security for his young family.
