By Sarah Curran
A BANGOR actor who stars in the hit police drama Hope Street, has said he is entering the ‘last stages’ of his life.
Diagnosed with skin cancer four years ago, Finnian Garbutt posted on social media on Monday to say that the cancer had ‘progressed rapidly’ in his body.
The 28 year-old is known for his role as police constable Ryan Power in BBC NI’s police drama Hope Street, which is filmed in Donaghadee.
Mr Garbutt has previously opened up about discovering a lump behind his ear in late 2020, initially dismissing it as an ingrown hair and following a visit to his barber, he was told it had grown ‘quite substantially’.
He was diagnosed with stage three skin cancer and underwent a 12 hour surgery to remove 75 lymph nodes from his face and neck.
In his recent statement on social media, the actor shared that he had undergone tests after experiencing pain in his back and hip, which found the cancer had spread.
The young father said: “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.
“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.
“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 continued: “Since being diagnosed four years ago I have achieved so many life goals – 30 episodes in 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.
“Thank you to all that have reached out over the years and supported me and my family.” The young actor concluded by asking those keen in meeting up for a coffee or a pint ‘or a general bit of craic’ to reach out.
