“That’s enough for me,” he says. “That’s all I need.”
The Escape to the Country presenter will savour every small moment with sons Rex, four, and twins Rafa and Cormac, who turn three this month, and his wife Jessica, throwing himself into family life in a way he hasn’t always felt able to in the past three years.
In August 2020, two months after the birth of his twin boys, Jonnie was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer that had spread to his brain.
“At the start of my illness, I know I held back,” he tells HELLO! at his home in Newcastle-uponTyne. “It was probably a defence mechanism as ultimately I know I’m not going to be around.
“But more recently I thought: ‘F**k it.’ I just want to immerse myself in it and to have as many good times as we can.”
NEVER GIVING UP
It is fighting talk from a man who says he isn’t “interested in talking about cancer – I want to talk about life”.
Which he does with bravery, resilience and stoicism – as well as a few tears – in this exclusive interview and photoshoot, talking movingly about his pride in and love for his family, as well as how he is coping with an illness that has left him weak and in pain, but not diminished.
“It can happen at any time,” he says of his death, which he has so far cheated for three years. “I’m here to stop it for as long as possible.”
A stay in a hospice to deal with chronic pain in his back has meant Jonnie, 49, has been more sedentary than usual, not so quick on his feet or as full of the energy needed to keep up with his rambunctious boys.
Denne historien er fra June 19, 2023-utgaven av HELLO! UK.
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Denne historien er fra June 19, 2023-utgaven av HELLO! UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
STARS TURN OUT FOR THE EARTHSHOT PRIZE THE PRINCE OF WALES ROYAL HEADS TO CAPE TOWN FOR PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS CEREMONY
The Prince of Wales's love for Africa is well known: it is where he spent his gap year before heading to university.
FAMOUS NAMES TURN OUT FOR HALLOWEEN FRIGHT NIGHT STARS GO THE EXTRA MILE FOR SPOOKY STYLE
It may have been spooky season, but that was no excuse for stylish celebrities to abandon their sartorial flair.
BIDDING A BITTERSWEET FAREWELL TO 'VENOM' TRILOGY TOM HARDY ON FLYING HIGH, LOSING HIS TEMPER AND BEING INSPIRED IN HIS CHILLING MARVEL ROLE BY SON LOUIS
When Tom Hardy attended the UK premiere of Venom: The Last Dance in London, he was accompanied by a very special fan.
STARRING IN A NEW LOVE STORY WITH LIAM HEMSWORTH LAURA DERN TALKS OF THEIR CONNECTION - AND WHY VULNERABLE WOMEN ARE SUPERHEROES
The beautiful and dramatic scenery of Morocco's Atlas Mountains is the backdrop for Laura Dern's new film Lonely Planet, a love story in which she plays novelist Katherine opposite Liam Hemsworth's private equity hotshot Owen.
GRANDDAUGHTER OF LADY PAMELA HICKS MADDISON MAY BRUDENELL AND BRET KAPETANOV UNITE THEIR DIFFERENT WORLDS! IN SOCIETY COUNTRY WEDDING
In a heartwarming ceremony filled with love, Lady Pamela Hicks's granddaughter Maddison May Brudenell said: \"I will\" at a 15th-century village church in one of the most extraordinary society weddings of the year - and HELLO! was there to witness the historic occasion.
SPEAKING OUT IN POWERFUL NEW DOCUMENTARY THE QUEEN SHOWS HER PASSIONATE COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE AND THEIR FAMILIES
The Queen has vowed to keep fighting for victims of domestic saying: Keep until I am able to no more.\"
PRINCESS BEATRICE AND NUTRITIONIST GABRIELA PEACOCK
HOW THE FRIENDS ARE SHARING THEIR PREGNANCY JOURNEY TOGETHER
AMERICA'S STYLE ELITE IS OUT IN FORCE FASHION'S FINEST A-LISTERS DIAL UP THE GLAMOUR TO HONOUR TOP DESIGNERS IN NEW YORK
Hollywood stars rubbed shoulders with New York's style elite as America's fashion industry gathered to honour some of its top designers.
LEGENDARY DANCER WAYNE SLEEP REFLECTS ON A LIFE IN THE SPOTLIGHT AND HOW BALLET LED HIM INTO SHOWBIZ
He has danced with some of the greatest legends of ballet, partied with the biggest names in showbusiness and performed with royalty.
SPORTY, INTELLIGENT AND SHOWING AN IMPRESSIVE SENSE OF STYLE LADY LOUISE SHINES LIKE A JEWEL IN THE ROYAL CROWN AS SHE TURNS 21
As she celebrates her 21st birthday this week, Lady Louise Mountbatten Windsor is growing up into an engaging young woman.