BBC actor Finnian Garbutt has issued a heartbreaking statement after he was diagnosed with terminal skin cancer aged only 28 and started a GoFundMe to help his family after his death
Finnian Garbutt, star of Casualty and Hope Street, has said he is entering the “last stages” of life aged only 28. The heartbreaking update has left many fans devastated, and they have showered his social media page, which is filled with moments from his wonderful life, with love.
Finnian’s Instagram features several posts about his four-year cancer journey, but it also features many about the life he has lived while battling his illness. In September 2025, he shared photos from his wedding to his wife, Louise. The pair got married at Maghermorne Estate in Northern Ireland, surrounded by friends and family, including their daughter.
Similarly, back in November, the actor’s career seemed to be at an all-time high, as he attended the premiere of his film House Jackers at the Belfast Film Festival.
READ MORE: Finnian Garbutt’s GoFundMe for baby hits milestone as star, 28, reaches ‘end of life’READ MORE: BBC star, 28, in ‘last stages’ launches GoFundMe for ‘my wife and little baby’
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The star had already made waves as PC Ryan Power in crime drama Hope Street. Following his announcement about the progression of his cancer, a BBC spokesperson said: “Finnian has been such an important part of Hope Street’s success. He is very much in our thoughts.”
Finnian has posted several behind-the-scenes photos from his time on Hope Street, many of which include his co-stars Niamh McGrady, Tara Lynne O’Neill and Cameron Cuffe. He also appeared in Casualty and played Benvolio in Romeo and Juliet at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast.
His two most recent posts are about his cancer diagnosis. Four years ago, Finnian found a lump behind his ear, which he thought was an ingrown hair. When his barber told him that the lump had grown substantially, the actor got it checked out and was diagnosed with Stage 3 skin cancer, which spread to his neck.
He revealed to his followers that over the last month, he had been having back and hip pain and went into hospital to be observed. “Unfortunately the scans have shown that the cancer has progressed rapidly in my body,” he said. “I am now entering the last stages of life”.
Finnian continued: “I’m putting this out there as it is really difficult to tell people individually and I hope now that it’s in the open I can enjoy the time with my amazing family and friends.
“Since being diagnosed four years ago I have achieved so many of my life goals – 30 episodes on a TV show, being the lead in a movie that should be out soon, buying my own house marrying my best friend and becoming a father to the most incredible baby girl who never fails to make me smile”.
He concluded: “Thank you to all that have reached out over the years and supported me and my family. If anyone wants to meet up for a pint, coffee or general bit of craic please reach out and we can try to make it work. Love as always Finnian”.
* The Macmillan Support Line offers confidential support to people living with cancer and their loved ones. If you need to talk, call them on 0808 808 0000.
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