BBC star Finnian Garbutt dies aged 28

Garbutt was best known for his role in the BBC police drama Hope Street, which is filmed in Donaghadee, County Down.

Garbutt was diagnosed with skin cancer four years ago, and spoke publicly about his treatment.

In a statement shared to social media, Garbutt’s family confirmed that he had died “peacefully at home”.

“We’re absolutely heartbroken to announce that Finnian passed away after a sudden decline in his condition,” the statement said.

“You were the greatest husband, father, son, brother and friend we could ask for.”

The actor said in March that he was entering the “last stages” of his life, as “scans have shown that the cancer has progressed rapidly in my body”.

After he discovered a growth near his ear four years ago, which he originally believed was an ingrown hair, the actor grew concerned when his barber informed him the lump had enlarged.

Garbutt underwent the removal of 75 lymph nodes from his face and neck during an exhausting 12-hour operation but devastatingly, his cancer has metastasised throughout his body.

Garbutt is survived by his wife, Louise, and his one-year-old daughter.