Hope Street Star Finnian Garbutt Enters Hospice Care After Terminal Cancer Battle
Finnian Garbutt, the 28-year-old actor celebrated for his role as police constable Ryan Power in the BBC series Hope Street, has revealed he is now receiving hospice care following a terminal cancer diagnosis. The actor shared this devastating update with fans through an emotional Instagram post from his hospital bed.
A Four-Year Battle Against Aggressive Cancer
Garbutt's cancer journey began at age 25 when he discovered a lump behind his ear in 2020. His barber later noticed the lump had grown significantly after COVID-19 lockdowns, leading to a diagnosis of Stage 3 skin cancer. In February 2022, the actor underwent a grueling 12-hour surgery where surgeons removed 75 lymph nodes from his neck and face.
The situation took a dire turn in August 2024 when Garbutt received a Stage IV melanoma diagnosis just two weeks before welcoming his daughter. Earlier this month, he disclosed that the cancer had "progressed rapidly" throughout his body.
Heartbreaking Update From Northern Ireland Hospice
In his latest Instagram post, Garbutt explained he is now staying at Northern Ireland Hospice, which provides specialized support for people with terminal illnesses. "Thank you that have supported me and my family," he wrote. "I will no longer be sharing my GoFundMe page, but it is still active in bio. Love you all folks."
Hospice care focuses on improving a patient's quality of life and comfort rather than attempting to cure the disease, marking a significant shift in Garbutt's treatment approach.
Reflecting on Life Achievements Amid Terminal Diagnosis
In a previous social media post, Garbutt shared that he was "entering the last stages of life" after scans revealed the cancer's rapid progression. He explained that back and hip pain prompted his medical team to admit him for observations and scans.
The actor chose to go public with his diagnosis because telling people individually proved "really difficult." Despite his health struggles, Garbutt reflected positively on his accomplishments: "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."
A Rising Career Cut Short
Garbutt quickly became a regular cast member from the third series of Hope Street onward, portraying PC Ryan Power in the fictional Northern Irish town of Port Devine. The popular police procedural featured Garbutt at the center of storylines across the last two seasons, and he became one of the show's longest-serving cast members after numerous changes between the third and fourth series.
Beyond Hope Street, Garbutt appeared in Casualty in 2020 and stars in the upcoming film Housejackers. His performance in the BBC series earned him recognition as a fan-favorite character, with the show's fifth series marking his latest appearance before his health declined.
The actor expressed gratitude to supporters throughout his journey, acknowledging those who "have reached out over the years and supported me and my family" during his challenging battle with cancer.
