Finnian Garbutt, the 28-year-old Hope Street actor, has shared a deeply emotional update with fans, revealing that he is now in hospice care following his terminal cancer diagnosis. Just weeks after opening up about the devastating news that his skin cancer had progressed to Stage IV melanoma, Finnian announced that he is in the final stages of his life.
In a heartbreaking post on Instagram, Finnian shared a selfie from his hospice bed, thanking his supporters: “A day in bed supplied by @nihospice. Thank you to all who have supported me and my family. I will no longer be sharing my GoFundMe page, but it is still active in bio. Love you all, folks.”
Diagnosed with skin cancer five years ago, Finnian’s battle took a heartbreaking turn when the disease progressed rapidly. Despite undergoing surgery to remove the cancer in 2022, Finnian was diagnosed with Stage IV melanoma in August 2024, just weeks before the birth of his daughter, Saoirse, with wife Louise Agnew.
In a poignant message, Finnian explained how the cancer had worsened despite treatment, saying, “Over the last month or so, I’ve been having quite a bit of pain in my back and hip… Unfortunately, the scans have shown that the cancer has progressed rapidly, and I am now entering the last stages of my life.”
Finnian has continued to inspire others with his openness about his diagnosis, urging everyone to be vigilant about their health. “What I want now is to get as many people to know about this disease because prior to this diagnosis, I had no idea about it. Now, actually having it at an advanced level, it is devastating and has changed my life completely.”
Known for his role as police constable Ryan Power in the BBC’s Hope Street, Finnian has reflected on his journey, sharing that despite the cancer, he achieved many of his life goals, including becoming a father and appearing in numerous TV episodes.
His message has been a beacon of courage for his fans and fellow actors. “If caught early, melanoma is very treatable,” he added, urging others to check their skin regularly.
Despite the overwhelming nature of his battle, Finnian’s family remains his cornerstone, and he expresses gratitude for the time he has left with them. “Here’s to many more happy years” he wrote in a previous post.
