Jonnie Irwin

Jonnie grew up on a small farm and stables in Leicestershire. Always outdoors he would play as much of any kind of sport as possible but his main focus has always been rugby playing as a junior for Lutterworth Rugby Club just two fields away and eventually senior rugby for Rugby Lions RFC.

After sitting A-levels at the local grammar school he studied Estate Management at Birmingham City University and before sitting his finals secured his first job with Christie and Co, a surveying and business transfer specialist. Like most graduates he worked across a range of departments and it was here that Jonnie gained his knowledge and passion for the world of business and property.

Not long into his time there Jonnie broke his back playing in a rugby Sevens tournament. After an absence of six months he went back to work and picked up where he left off advising and brokering on the sales and purchase of a whole spectrum of properties and businesses ranging from corner shops and pubs to corporate packages of hotels and development sites.

After six years and having become associate director and manager of the agency office, Jonnie was headhunted to help set up the hotels and leisure department of Colliers in Birmingham.

After a couple of years Jonnie took a completely new direction and landed the role of joint presenter of new Channel 4 TV show A Place In The Sun: Home or Away?,  receiving a TRIC Award in the second series. It wasn't long before he was offered other shows and has since presented numerous series for the BBC, Channel 4 and Sky 1.

Now 11 years on Jonnie can still be seen globetrotting, helping buyers find their dream homes on A Place In The Sun where he also features at the Liveexhibitions giving advice and seminars on all things property related.

Jonnie is also one of the lead presenters of The BBC's flagship property show Escape To The Country. Harking back to his rural roots, his warm upbeat style come to the fore both with the couples he helps and in the VT's out and about. 

Away from the camera Jonnie is still involved in business and recently received an honorary doctorate from Birmingham City University. He remains a keen sportsman cycling, hiking, mountain biking and playing cricket.

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