Channel 4 sparks fury as 'shameful' Jonnie Irwin tribute divides A Place in the Sun fans after star's death

Last Updated, Feb 7, 2024, 6:42 PM

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A Place in the Sun viewers were left “disappointed” on Monday afternoon over the Channel 4 property show’s gesture to the late Jonnie Irwin.

Irwin died aged 50 on Friday following a near-four-year battle with terminal cancer and had been a presenter on the program for almost two decades before his diagnosis.

Tributes from far and wide have flooded in over the days since, including from several of Irwin’s APITS and Escape to the Country co-stars.

The BBC property show even adjusted its original billing on Monday to air Irwin’s last ever episode he’d filmed as well as a montage of his best bits from the program.

Channel 4, on the other hand, dedicated Monday’s episode to Irwin but instead aired a repeat episode featuring Danni Menzies.

Its only mention of Irwin was by the continuity announcer before the episode and a title card which aired for a few seconds after Monday’s show.

A Place in the Sun: Channel 4 show aired this title card to Jonnie Irwin after his death

CHANNEL 4

Believing Irwin deserved a lengthier tribute given his time on the show, several A Place in the Sun fans took to social media this week to slam the channel’s efforts.

“Shameful that they haven’t featured Jonnie today,” one person fumed on X, formerly Twitter. “I’m not in the mood for this #APlaceInTheSun.”

A second agreed: “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.”

“Beautiful tribute to Jonnie on BBC. Shameful for Channel 4 not to do the same,” a third raged while a fourth hit out: “Really should have had an episode with Jonnie on today as a tribute. #aplaceinthesun.”

Jonnie Irwin death: The presenter died after being diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2020

INSTAGRAM/JONNIE IRWIN

Another weighed in: “Is it just me that was disappointed with tribute to Jonny Irwin, RIP, today on @aplaceinthesun. I thought they may do a special with parts of his first & last shows, or combi of appearances showcasing his personality. Instead, a simple screen in tribute at end. #aplaceinthesun.”

And a sixth slammed: “I thought they’d do a repeat of one his shows as a tribute like the BBC are doing,” followed by a series of disgruntled emojis. (sic)

On the Friday of Irwin’s death, Channel 4 released a statement expressing its condolences for Irwin’s family.

A statement said: “Everyone at Channel 4 is deeply saddened by the news of Jonnie’s death. Our thoughts and condolences go out to Jonnie’s family, his wife Jessica and their three sons, as well as his friends and colleagues.

WATCH HERE: BBC’s Morning Live pay tribute to Jonnie Irwin

“Jonnie was a beloved presenter on A Place in the Sun for over 18 years. He helped realise the dreams of many on the show and inspired countless viewers to find their own places in the sun.

“Much loved by colleagues and audiences alike, he will be greatly missed,” Channel 4’s tribute concluded.

Irwin’s death came just days after he revealed he was back in hospital for an MRI scan after struggling to sleep for “six days” prior.

He was first diagnosed in 2020 but went public with news of his cancer diagnosis in 2022 when the illness had spread from his lung to his brain.

GB News has contacted Channel 4 for comment.

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