Hope Street Actor Finnian Garbutt Enters Hospice Care with Incurable Cancer
Finnian Garbutt, the 28-year-old actor known for his role as police constable Ryan Power on BBC One's Hope Street, has revealed he has entered hospice care after his skin cancer progressed to an incurable stage. The actor shared this heartbreaking update with his fans on Instagram, stating that Northern Ireland Hospice is now providing him with care.
A Rapidly Deteriorating Condition
In a candid interview with The Independent earlier in March, Garbutt described his life as "very uncomfortable" as the cancer continues to spread rapidly throughout his body. "Everything I can do in my life has drastically changed in the past few weeks. I don't drive anymore, and it's sort of every day, the pain is getting worse," he explained. The actor was originally diagnosed with stage 3 skin cancer in 2021 and underwent treatment for several years, but received the devastating news 18 months ago that the disease had become untreatable.
Devastating Timing Before Daughter's Birth
Garbutt disclosed that he learned his cancer had metastasized to his liver and lungs just two weeks before his daughter Saoirse was born in 2024. "It has been really tough. Anytime I get emotional about it, I just sort of think of that, because I wouldn't want to see anybody go through this," said the actor, who shares his baby daughter with his wife Louise. Despite the prognosis, Garbutt reflected on achieving significant life goals since his diagnosis four years ago, including starring in 30 episodes of a TV series, landing a lead role in an upcoming feature film Housejackers, buying a home, marrying his best friend, and becoming a father.
Fundraising Efforts for His Family
With a relatively short career in the acting industry, Garbutt emphasized he is "not rich" and started a GoFundMe page to secure financial stability for his wife and daughter. The campaign has raised nearly £85,000 to date. In his Instagram update, he announced he would stop actively sharing the fundraiser but noted it remains accessible via his profile. "I'll no longer be sharing my GoFundMe page but it is still active on my Bio. Love you all folks," he wrote. Garbutt expressed deep concern about his family's future, stating, "I've just always wanted to be the person that looks after my family and the last thing I want is my wife having to move house with a one-year-old and being financially stressed."
A Message of Gratitude and Realism
The actor has been open about his journey, sharing on Instagram earlier this month, "I am now entering the last stages of my life. I'm putting this out there as it is really difficult to tell people individually and I hope now it's in the open then I can enjoy the time with my amazing family and friends." He also addressed potential donors with a heartfelt plea, saying, "I do not want anyone to donate if they cannot. If they cannot afford to, please, please, please, please don't [donate], but share it and it'll just help my baby have some form of life that isn't just, 'Where's my daddy?'"
Garbutt's story highlights the severe impact of melanoma skin cancer, a condition the NHS provides extensive information on, including symptoms to watch for. His courage in sharing his experience continues to resonate with supporters worldwide.
