Britain’s Got Talent star Allan Finnegan dies aged 59 after a five-year cancer battle – six years after becoming a semi-finalist on ITV show

Britain’s Got Talent star Allan Finnegan has died aged 59.

The comedian reached the semi-finals of the ITV show in 2020 after impressing judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and David Walliams with his stand-up routine.

On Sunday, his family announced that he tragically passed away on Friday after battling a diagnosis of eye and liver cancer.

The comedian died surrounded by his wife and daughters, and his death was confirmed in a statement shared on his official Instagram account.

Along with a joyful memory, his family wrote: ‘It is with great sadness that our family shares the devastating news that our wonderful, caring, funny Husband, Father, Grandfather, Son, Father-in-Law, Church Minister and Comedian Allan went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, June 19, 2026 at 9:10pm. He bravely fought to battle cancer for almost 5 years.

‘We have the most precious memories as a family and we will love and miss him very much.

On Sunday, his family announced that he tragically passed away on Friday after battling a diagnosis of eye and liver cancer.

The comedian passed away surrounded by his wife and daughters, and his death was confirmed in a statement shared on his official Instagram account.

‘Joyce, Rachael and Beckie were with him in his final moments, playing some of his favorite music, and when his favorite song, Pink Floyd’s ‘Wish You Were Here’, began to play, Allan opened his eyes and breathed his last peacefully.

‘It was an incredibly heartbreaking moment, but also a very precious and beautiful moment for our family.

‘Joyce, Rachael, Beckie, Danny, Josh, Albie and Linda thank Allan for his incredible life and faithful witness.

‘We want to thank each and every one of you for your support, love and incredible generosity during Allan’s battle.

‘We are forever grateful to you all because it has given Allan extra precious time to spend with his family and his new grandson Albie.’

Four years ago Allan noticed something was wrong with his eyesight and after going to the doctor he was told he had tumors in both eyes.

One tumor was thought to be non-serious, while the other was ocular melanoma, a rare type of cancer.

The comedian continued treatment, but tests revealed he had a gene that meant the cancer could return and spread to his liver.

Baptist vicar Allan reached the semi-finals of the show in 2020 (pictured) after impressing judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and David Walliams with his comedy.

he said Liverpool Echo at the time: ‘Two years ago in December I was diagnosed with eye cancer, which I had never heard of before. I received treatment just after Christmas that year.

‘It went well but the biopsy looked at my genes; If you have a certain type of gene, the cancer has a higher chance of returning, and when it does, it’s usually in the liver.

‘Then in December last year something came up. I had to return. Confirmed it was spreading. I went to see a counselor just after Christmas. It confirmed that it was incurable.”

Allan said the news was very difficult for him, his wife Joyce and their daughters Beccy and Rachael.

“Seeing my wife and children crying and seeing others cry makes me even more emotional,” he said.

Allan had the cancer removed and continued to recover. But there was a possibility of him returning.

Unfortunately, in December 2023, he was told that the cancer had returned and spread to his liver.

Because the cancer is inoperable, Allan told the Liverpool Echo he was living on ‘borrowed time’.

His family started a GoFundMe campaign to fund some new treatments, and Allan lived beyond doctors’ initial predictions.