A Britain’s Got Talent star has died aged just 59 four years after he received a rare cancer diagnosis as his family thank fans for helping them spend extra time with him

A Britain’s Got Talent star has died aged just 59. Allan Finnegan, a Baptist minister who competed as a stand up comic in the 2020 series, died on Friday 19 June, after battling eye and liver cancer for four years.

Finnegan’s family announced his death over the weekend, revealing that he had died surrounded by his wife and daughters. Their statement called him an “amazing, caring and funny” man.

They added a picture of him with his family in the garden and said: “We have the most precious memories as a family and will love and miss him so much.”

The statement also revealed that Finnegan’s family had played him his favourite music as he died, which included Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here. They continued to thank fans for helping the family get more time with Finnegan.

“We would like to thank each and everyone of you for your support, love and amazing generosity during Allan’s battle,” the family wrote. “We are eternally grateful to you all, as this gave Allan precious extra time to spend with his family and new grandson.”

Finnegan was first diagnosed with a rare eye cancer called ocular melanoma in 2022 after experiencing flashes of light in his eyesight. He was told by a doctor that he had tumours in both eyes.

According to Ocular Melanoma UK, only 750 are diagnosed with the disease each year in the UK. Symptoms can include blurred vision and flashes of light, but it can also be asymptomatic, making regular eye tests vital.

Finnegan’s tumours were removed, but he was later told that the cancer had moved to his liver, where it was inoperable. In 2024, he was given 12 months to live, but managed to make it to 2026.

Back in 2020, Finnegan made a name for himself by going on Britain’s Got Talent. Wearing his dog collar, the minister made jokes about what it was like to work for the church.

His act impressed judges Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and David Walliams, and he was able to reach the semi-finals, but sadly did not get the votes to progress to the final stage.

Following his cancer diagnosis, Finnegan released a book called I Didn’t Ask For Any Of This: Church, Comedy and Cancer. The book charted his career from joining the church to heading to BGT, as well as his cancer diagnoses.

When the book was released, he wrote: “First and foremost I’m a husband, dad, grandad and Liverpool fan. Not just the football club but the city as well. It’s a great, friendly place to live.

“I’m not really sure I can call myself an author because this will most probably be my only publication. I’ve had a varied career, from building sites to Baptist minister. Stand-up comedian and somehow starred on Britain’s Got Talent in 2020. I am hoping this book will be my legacy.”

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