Jonnie Irwin has given concerned fans the news they’ve been waiting for, as he’s confirmed he’ll be making a return to TV.
The terminally ill TV presenter said it’s “good to be back” in a beaming selfie shared to social media.
In case you weren’t up-to-speed, the former star of property shows, such as Channel 4‘s A Place in the Sun and the BBC‘s Escape to the Country, revealed that he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer after first sensing something was wrong with his health while filming for work back in 2020.
The 49-year-old said in a shocking interview back in November 2022 that he was left “heartbroken” after claiming he was “axed” from the silver screen by Channel 4 following his diagnosis.
Jonnie has been very open and candid about his journey since revealing his terminal diagnosis with the public, and is known to share lots of heartwarming family photos and treatment updates to his social media platforms.
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And it’s on social media that he’s given one of his most positive updates in a long time this week.
The dad-of-three hopped onto Instagram to let his over 220,000 followers that he’ll soon to be making a long-awaited return to TV, as he’s spent some time filming property segments up in Newcastle for BBC Morning Live.
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Alongside what is a heartwarming selfie of him on location, with the undisclosed show’s camera operator working in the background, Jonnie has admitted it’s “so good to be back”.
He wrote in his caption: “So good to be back filming for BBC Morning Live.
“We’ve just shot two short films about renovating your home and what to look out for. I think my smug smile betrays the lack of a massive commute for once, and the extra couple of hours I got in my scratcher as we filmed in Newcastle Upon Tyne.”
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Jonnie Irwin says it’s ‘good to be back’ as he confirms he’s returning to TV / Credit: BBC | Jonnie Irwin (via Instagram)
Although he admitted that he’s not too sure himself when the episodes will hit screens at this point, he’s vowed to keep his followers updated and let them know when to tune in as soon as he’s got confirmation of their air dates.
His caring fans have been sharing their well-wishes and messages of support as they reacted to the news in the comments of the Instagram post.
One fan wrote: “You are looking so well, much better than you have been for quite some time. Keep fighting the good fight”, while another echoed the same sentiment by commenting: “You look fantastic and your eyes are sparkling.”
Channel 4 is looking for Mancs who think they can survive the apocalypse for a new TV series
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Have you always wanted to see how long you’d last in an apocalypse?
Well now’s your chance, as Apocalypse is potentially coming back to Channel 4 for a second series, with producers having put out a nationwide casting call for contestants willing to take part.
The casting call simply reads: “Do you think you have what it takes to survive the end of the world?”
Described as a dystopian series designed to test the creativity, resourcefulness, and resilience of our nation, Apocalypse sees players are pushed out of their comfort zones and put to the ultimate test.
In the series, ordinary people are tasked with surviving for 28 days in an abandoned city – used previously only for the military to practice urban warfare – with no food, running water, electricity or heat.
Produced by The Garden – which is part of ITV Studios – for Channel 4, the show’s creators are now calling on Mancs and people up and down the country with the ‘courage and ingenuity’ to compete, to get in touch and apply for the potential second series.
Does your mate always bang on after watching a post-apocalyptic film that they would’ve done things differently? Or is the news at the moment freaking you out and you want to give the end of the world a bit of a practice run? Either way, sign up, test that plan you’ve built in your head, and see if you’ve really got what it takes.
Applications are now open, and all you need to do is fill in a short application form and one of the production team will get back to you if they would like to proceed. Come on, let’s prove what Mancs are made of.
Iconic Manc movie 24 Hour Party People is set to return to cinemas for its anniversary
Emily Sergeant
One of Manchester’s most iconic movies is set to return to the big screen next month.
Remastered in 4K and returning to UK cinemas to mark 24 years since its original release, Michael Winterbottom’s 2002 biographical comedy drama film, 24 Hour Party People, tells the story of Manchester‘s popular music community from 1976 to 1992 – specifically about Factory Records‘ founder Tony Wilson.
The film begins with the punk rock era of the late 1970s, before moving through the 1980s into the rave and DJ culture, and of course, the ‘Madchester‘ scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The narrative largely follows the career of Tony Wilson, played by Middleton-born actor Steve Coogan, while also covering the careers of the major Factory Records artists – especially Joy Division and New Order, as well as A Certain Ratio, The Durutti Column, and Happy Mondays.
If you haven’t seen 24 Hour Party People before, it’s a dramatisation based on a combination of real events, rumours, and urban legends, as the film is sure to make clear.
Coogan is joined by a cast by a mixture of big names and, at the time, rising stars like Paddy Considine, Shirley Henderson, Lennie James, John Simm, Ralf Little, Andy Serkis, Sean Harris, John Thomson, and even Peter Kay, alongside cameos from other figures connected to the Manchester music scene.
Before it returns to cinemas, the film will first open music and media festival/conference, Beyond The Music, at MediaCity in Salford on 6 October.
The screening at the festival will also be followed by a Q&A with Coogan, Winterbottom, and producer Andrew Eaton.
24 Hour Party People will then be re-released in UK cinemas from 9 October, and you can check your local cinema for screening times and book tickets online now.
Emily Sergeant -
13th October 2023 
