TV actor, 28, announces terminal cancer has progressed to final stage

BBC actor Finnian Garbutt has revealed that he has entered the final stage of his life after a four-year battle with melanoma.

The 28-year-old actor from Northern Ireland, announced the heartbreaking news on Instagram on March 1, explaining that his recent scans showed the cancer had progressed rapidly throughout his body.

“Over the last month or so I’ve been having quite a bit of pain in my back and hip. My cancer team admitted me the other day for observations and to do a few scans,” Garbutt began his post. “Unfortunately the scans have shown that the cancer has progressed rapidly in my body and I am now entering the last stages of my life.”

He explained that he was sharing the news publicly on social media because it was too difficult to tell people individually. “I hope now it’s in the open then I can enjoy the time with my amazing family and friends,” he said.

Reflecting on his life since his diagnosis four years ago, Garbutt highlighted several major milestones. These include portraying police constable Ryan Power for 30 episodes of the BBC drama “Hope Street” for 30 episodes, getting a lead role in the upcoming film “Housejackers,” purchasing a home, and marrying his “best friend,” Louise.

He also became a dad “to the most incredible baby girl who never fails to make me smile.“ Garbutt included a photo of him and his daughter, Saoirse, on the next slide.

The actor received his initial melanoma diagnosis four years ago, and doctors declared the cancer terminal in 2024. The terminal diagnosis came just two weeks before the birth of Saoirse, which he revealed on Instagram in May 2025. At that time, the disease had already spread to his liver and lungs.

He ended his post by thanking those who have supported him and his family over the years. “If anyone wants to meet up for a pint, coffee, or a general bit of craic, please reach out and we can try and make it work,” he added.

BBC and Long Story TV told People in a joint statement: “Finnian has been such an important part of ‘Hope Street’s’ success. He is very much in our thoughts.”

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