BRITAIN's Got Talent star Allan Finnegan has been given 12 months to live after being diagnosed with a rare eye cancer.
The stand-up comedian, who reached the semi-finals of the ITV talent contest in 2020, has revealed his devastating prognosis in order to raise funds for a treatement that is not available on the NHS.
The Baptist minister, 56, told the Liverpool Echo: "I got diagnosed with eye cancer two years ago in December, which I'd never heard of. I was treated just after Christmas that year.
"It went well but the biopsy looked at my genes - if you’ve got a certain type of gene, there’s quite a high chance of cancer returning, and when it does, it usually is in the liver.
"Then in December last year, something showed up. I had to go back. It confirmed it had spread. I went to a consultant just after Christmas. He confirmed it was untreatable."
The star has been living with diabetes, and was alerted to the tumours because he undergoes regular check-ups for his eyes.
He said: "Just before the check-up, the vision in my left eye started going slightly darker and I started seeing flashes.
"I mentioned it but they originally found something in my right eye. I kept saying there’s something in my left eye."
He was later diagnosed at St Paul’s Eye Hospital with ocular melanoma, an extremely rare form of cancer.
Allan said his wife Joyce, and daughters Beccy and Rachael, have been devastated by the news.
"Watching my wife and kids cry, seeing other people cry, that makes me more emotional," he added.
The talent show contestant stepped back from his comedy and church commitments, having performed only two gigs in the past two years.
He is currently seeking specialised treatment called Chemosaturation therapy, which aims to saturate the liver and target tumours but comes with a hefty price tag of £50,000.
To raise funds for this therapy, Allan has created a GoFundMe page.
Sharing his story on his page, he said: "I’m fundraising for life saving cancer treatment not available on the NHS.
"I was diagnosed with ocular melanoma 2 years ago and was treated successfully but unfortunately it has now metastasised into my liver and is incurable.
"I’ve been given 12 months but could extend this by receiving Chemosaturation Therapy, directly to the liver (Delcath).
"This would give me some valuable time with my family, friends and new 3 month old grandson, Albie. The treatment costs £50,000 per dose and I’ve been advised that I’ll need at least 3."
Allan had raised £45,257 at the time of writing.
The Scouse minister turned stand-up comedian impressed Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and David Walliams on the BGT four years ago.
The showman emerged from a pulpit on the stage to joke about dead people, funerals and his family.
Though very rare, there are about 850 cases of eye cancer diagnosed in the UK every year.
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