Jules Hudson was inundated with supportive messages as he issued a heartbreaking update with his followers.

The Countryfile host, 55, took to Instagram on Sunday (February 2) to pay tribute to his friend and fellow TV presenter Jonnie Irwin, who died one year ago at the age of 50 following a lengthy battle with cancer.

Jules and Jonnie struck up a friendship when they worked together on BBC’s Escape to the Country.

Marking one year since Jonnie’s death, Jules shared an image of the late star taken while he was filming Escape to the Country and branded him “one of life’s truly unforgettable gents”.

He wrote: “Today we mark a year since our old friend Jonnie tragically left us. He was forever full of mischief, humour, and tireless creativity from dawn until dusk. One of life’s truly unforgettable gents.”

The post was flooded with messages from his friends and followers, with one writing: “Sending love and hugs to everyone.”

Another penned: “Such a terrible loss. Jonnie was great. Thinking of his wife and boys today,” as a third added: “Thinking of Johnnie’s family and colleagues today, sending love. What a lovely man he was and is truly missed.”

A fourth shared: “Thank you for reminding us. He was a national treasure ….so authentic & genuine … sadly missed.”

Jonnie was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2020 and was given just six months to live. The presenter went public with his battle in December 2022 after he discovered the cancer had spread to his brain.

At the time he said he hoped his diagnosis would inspire people to “make the most of every day”.

The first sign of his illness occurred when his vision became blurry when driving in Italy while filming A Place in the Sun in August 2020.

“Within a week of flying back from filming, I was being given six months to live,” he told Hello! magazine.

“I had to go home and tell my wife, who was looking after our babies, that she was on her own pretty much. That was devastating.”

Jonnie married wife Jessica Holmes in 2016, and they have three young sons Rex, six and three-year-old twins Rafa and Cormac.

Jessica, who shared open and honest accounts about Jonnie’s battle with the illness before his death, paid tribute to her husband, touchingly sharing how their boys are looking after her.

She wrote: “What I would do to have you here with us. Rex is just the best, the twins are hilarious. They look after me and they just remind me of you everyday. X.”