Britain’s Got Talent star Allan Finnegan dead aged 59 afterfive-year cancer battle
Tributes have been paid after comedian and church minister Allan Finnegan, who reached the semi-finals of Britain's Got Talent, died following a long fight against a rare cancer that spread from his eyes to his liver.
Allan Finnegan has died aged 59 after a five-year cancer battle.
His family announced his passing on Sunday (21.06.26), sparking tributes on social media to the comedian and church minister who won over viewers during his memorable appearance on Britain’s Got Talent.
The Liverpool-born performer, who reached the semi-finals of ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent in 2020, died on Friday (19.06.26) surrounded by his wife, Joyce, and daughters, Beccy and Rachael.
Allan’s death was confirmed in a statement shared on his official Instagram account by his family.
The comedian became widely known for performing stand-up routines while wearing his dog collar, drawing on his experiences as a church minister to entertain audiences and judges including Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden. His appearance on the long-running talent competition brought him national recognition and led to further performances at comedy clubs and live events across the UK.
Allan is survived by his wife, Joyce, and daughters, Beccy and Rachael.
His family said in a statement marking his passing posted around noon on Sunday: “It is with great sadness that our family share the devastating news that our amazing, caring, funny, Husband, Dad, Grandad, Son, Father-in-law, Church Minister, and Comedian, Allan, went home to be with his Lord and Saviour at 9:10pm on Friday 19th June 2026. He bravely fought so hard to battle cancer for almost 5 years.
“We have the most precious memories as a family and will love and miss him so much.
“Joyce, Rachael and Beckie were with him in his final moments, playing some of his favourite music and as his favourite song, Pink Floyd’s ‘Wish You Were Here’ started playing, Allan opened his eyes and peacefully took his last breath. It was an incredibly heartbreaking moment, but also a very precious and beautiful one for our family.
“Joyce, Rachael, Beckie, Danny, Josh, Albie and Linda give thanks for Allan’s incredible life and faithful witness. We would like to to thank each and everyone of you for your support, love and amazing generosity during Allan’s battle. We are eternally grateful to you all, as this gave Allan precious extra time to spend with his family and new grandson, Albie.
Be blessed. (Heart emoji.) x.”
Allan, from Bootle, Merseyside, left school without qualifications before finding work on a building site.
He discovered his faith at 16 after praying with the father of a former girlfriend, a moment that led him to pursue ministry training.
Allan later combined his preaching skills with comedy, developing a unique act that would eventually bring him to a national television audience.
During his Britain’s Got Talent audition in 2020, he impressed judges and viewers with jokes about life in the clergy. His routine earned praise from the panel and secured him a place in the competition’s later stages.
Britain’s Got Talent remains one of ITV’s biggest entertainment programmes, having launched the careers of performers including Susan Boyle, Diversity and Paul Potts.
In 2022, Allan began experiencing problems with his eyesight and noticed what he described as “flashes of light”.
Medical investigations led to a diagnosis of ocular melanoma, a rare form of cancer affecting the eye, after tumours were discovered in both eyes.
The cancer was removed and Allan recovered, although doctors warned there was a possibility the disease could return.
In December 2023, he was told the cancer had spread to his liver and was inoperable.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo at the time, Allan said: “I’m on borrowed time.”
Following the diagnosis, his family launched a GoFundMe campaign to help fund treatment options.
Allan subsequently lived beyond doctors’ original expectations.
