A Young Actor’s Brave Battle Against Aggressive Cancer
It began innocuously enough, during a routine trip to the barber in mid-2021. Fresh out of lockdown, actor Finnian Garbutt, then 25, was settling in for a trim when his barber pointed out a new, small mole behind his ear. What followed was a swift and devastating escalation: the removal of the mole led to a diagnosis of stage 3 skin cancer by late 2021.
The subsequent years have been a whirlwind of intensive treatment and career highs, all overshadowed by the relentless progression of the disease. Three surgeries followed the initial diagnosis, alongside a gruelling year of daily chemotherapy tablets. Against the odds, the treatment appeared successful, and Finnian’s career took an exciting turn. He landed a coveted role in the popular BBC crime drama Hope Street, filmed in Northern Ireland, not far from his childhood home.
However, a pre-filming hair and makeup appointment brought a chilling revelation. “You go in for a continuity haircut, so that they can see what haircut that you’re going to have for the series,” Finnian explains. “I got them to take a picture of the original mole site, and there was a big lump.” This alarming discovery necessitated further swift removal and more treatment.
The fight was far from over. Fast forward to August 2024, and Finnian, now 28, and his wife Louise were eagerly awaiting the arrival of their first child. Just two weeks before his daughter’s birth, devastating news struck: cancer had been found in his liver and lungs, and it was deemed incurable.
A Year of Juggling and Resilience
Finnian recently shared a poignant update on social media, detailing his admission to hospital for further tests. “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 wrote, his words a stark testament to his courage.
Speaking from his home in County Antrim, shared with Louise, baby daughter Saoirse, and their three dogs, Finnian describes the entire ordeal as “totally crazy.” His approach to coping with the immense emotional toll is remarkably pragmatic. “I’ve probably still not got my head around it all but I think for me, the important thing was that this was happening to me and not anybody else. So that’s kind of the way I’ve dealt with it.” He admits, “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.”
His resilience is astounding. Finnian has chosen to share his story openly, building on years of candid updates on Instagram. From the outset, he’s documented the raw reality of living with cancer, his posts a powerful mix of behind-the-scenes glimpses from film sets, heartwarming family moments, post-surgery selfies, and stacks of chemotherapy tablet boxes. This visual diary highlights the extraordinary balancing act he’s performed for years, a feat mirrored by his impressive acting portfolio.
While recovering in his hospital bed from an early surgery, Finnian even watched Hope Street, a show he would soon join. He went on to portray PC Ryan Power in 30 episodes of the popular drama. His acting credits also include audiobook narrations and a short film, as well as Housejackers, his forthcoming first feature-length project.
A Cinematic Legacy and a Father’s Love
Housejackers, a chaotic, fun, and “also kind of dark” comedy-drama, sees Finnian play Raymond, a man drawn back into his past life after an unexpected reunion with his estranged brother. The film premiered at Belfast Film Festival last November, an event where Finnian and his family experienced the “surreal” moment of seeing him on the big screen for the first time. “I don’t know if I really enjoyed it or if I kind of wanted to hide, but it was just amazing,” he reflects. A full release is slated for later this year.
In the last four weeks, Finnian’s cancer has progressed with alarming speed. A dull hip pain migrated to his back, intensifying daily. Emergency scans revealed significant growth in his liver tumours, the appearance of tumours on either side of his hips, and the spread of cancer to his bones.
“At the minute, life is very, very uncomfortable,” he states, the rapid onset of his deteriorating health a stark contrast to how healthy he felt previously. “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.”
A Community Rallies: The GoFundMe Effort
This recent turn of events prompted the launch of a GoFundMe campaign, established to support Finnian’s wife and daughter in the difficult times ahead. Dispelling common misconceptions about actors’ finances, Finnian clarifies, “I think people have a conception with actors, that they’re millionaires… But the reality is that’s not true. I’ve only been in the industry for a couple of years, I’m not rich.”
With a voice thick with emotion, he continues, “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 and not knowing when to get back to work and not knowing how long to take off. I just find that part really hard.”
He extends a heartfelt plea: “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?’”
The response has been overwhelming. Within days, donations surpassed the £50,000 mark. “I just can’t put into words how much I appreciate it,” Finnian expresses. “Anybody who’s [donated]… they have no idea how much they’re helping and how much we appreciate it, and how much it’s going to take the stress off me dying.”
Cherishing Every Moment: A Father’s Legacy
With his daughter Saoirse now a vibrant one-and-a-half years old – a milestone celebrated with a party – Finnian, at his core, is a young dad navigating an unimaginable reality. “The one thing that I wanted when I was diagnosed and we knew that we were having Saorise, was to live to the point where she would remember me,” he shares. “At the minute, she’s my best friend. She doesn’t call me daddy, she calls me ‘Dagin’, and she’s chasing me around, hugging me and everything. I know that at this moment in time she knows me, but when I die, she’s not going to have those memories of me and that’s very, very difficult.”
The simple, profound desires of parenthood weigh heavily. “I wanted to take her in to her first day at primary school. Everything that a parent wants is what I want and unfortunately, that can’t happen.”
Despite the immense challenges, Finnian is focused on creating a lasting legacy for Saoirse. His acting career has not only fulfilled his personal ambitions but has also provided a tangible connection to his memory. “It’s amazing that I’ve been on the TV and stuff so she can maybe see me on there and Louise can say ‘There’s daddy,’” he muses. He also recorded a children’s audiobook, which he hopes Saoirse will enjoy, allowing her to hear his voice long after he’s gone.
Further plans are in motion to create keepsakes. “We’re working with some charities that are going to come and help do wee hand prints and they can turn that into jewellery.” While writing birthday cards might be too painful now, he intends to create them. He also plans to buy Saoirse a traditional Irish clodagh ring, “just little things like that for her to remember me.”
Raising Awareness: Breaking Down Stigma
Finnian is acutely aware of the impact his story can have, particularly in breaking down the stigma surrounding health concerns, especially among young people. “I was always ashamed of going to a doctor or whatever, you know, and I think a lot of young people feel that way,” he admits. “So I wanted people to know that you should just go and speak to somebody if you feel like something’s wrong.”
He also aims to educate about the severity of melanoma. “Most people associate [skin cancer] with older people, but it can affect anybody. A lot of people have this preconception of, ‘Oh, it’s just skin cancer, you just cut it off and you’re fine.’ But melanoma, it’s deadly and it’s going to be the reason that I die.”
These are difficult truths, but Finnian is determined to leave behind a positive impact: ensuring his young family is secure and raising crucial awareness about melanoma.
You can support the Garbutt family by donating to their GoFundMe. For further information on melanoma skin cancer, including symptoms to recognise, the NHS offers comprehensive resources.
