How a builder became a Baptist minister and comedian before facing terminal cancer

Heard the story about the builder who became a Baptist minister, the preacher who became an award-winning stand-up comedian…and the husband and father diagnosed with terminal cancer?

They are all the same person – and this is not a joke. It’s the inspiring and challenging autobiography of Allan Finnegan, who found national fame on TV’s ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ before doctors gave him just months to live.

I Didn’t Ask for Any of This – Church, Comedy & Cancer (Broad Place Publishing) is not for the faint-hearted, or those who like to read for gentle relaxation. It’s a fast-paced roller-coaster that switches between episodes in church or Bible college, to evenings in comedy clubs and, later, traumatic episodes in hospital treatment rooms.

Allan tells his story frankly and openly, with honesty and compassion. He invites you into his world and takes you into the places that formed him.

Leaving school with no qualifications, he worked on a building site and came to faith after his girlfriend’s dad prayed for him. And so began Allan’s journey of self-discovery, as he embarked on new challenges, found himself training for the ministry and then looking to improve his preaching skills by taking gigs at comedy clubs.

Allan recalls: “If you’d told me then that one day I would be attending university and training to be a Baptist minister, I would have laughed in your face.”

There’s a great deal of humour and self-deprecation in Allan’s story as he matures in his faith, in his confidence as a minister and his ability on the comedy circuit. Ultimately, he comes to a more positive self-image, as he sees himself through God’s eyes.

The descriptions of the comedy club evenings are the highlights of the book, which took me behind the scenes to places where I had never ventured into and introduced me to the people found there. Allan tells hilarious stories of the gigs that went well, and those that didn’t, and of some of his many conversations with fellow comedians and audience members.

The challenging club circuit gave Allan the chance to speak of this faith, to be a Christian presence in places where other comedians were getting laughs at the church’s expense. “Are you really a minister?” he was asked time and again.

He says: “It is interesting how many people have been hurt by church in the past and have a stigma about it now. They seem to enjoy talking to me and appear genuine. I get home later because of these conversations, but it feels worth it. If not for them, it’s definitely worth it for me.”

Allan’s experiences raise important questions about where Christians should centre their ministry – in church or out and about in the world?

His story shines a light on how the church is perceived in today’s society, and the challenge to get outside of the ‘church bubble’ and make deeper connections with the wider community.

He points out: “The fact that most comedy clubs are atheistic in their worldview means they view Christianity as being ‘pious,’ and to be fair, that’s the stereotype we often show them, particularly in the media.”

Allan’s appearances on TV’s Britain’s Got Talent gave him valuable lessons in authenticity. The producers asked him to wear a dog collar in his heat, and got through to the semi-final where he performed, because of Covid, to a large audience on Zoom. The appearance however, was not a success, and Allan was eliminated.

He reflects: “I should have taken the positives out of it, but my negativity won. You see I’d allowed myself to be manipulated into something I wasn’t. They wanted the caricature vicar who’d look the part and play the role. That wasn’t me at all, and I’d felt uncomfortable embracing their stereotypes. I believe that’s partly why I made a hash of it.” 

After the TV shows, just when Allan’s comedy career seemed to be taking off, he received unexpected, devastating news. He was diagnosed with cancer in both eyes. The specialist gave Allan the grim news that the cancer is life-threatening, with a high likelihood of returning, even if the treatment is successful.

Allan writes about his diagnosis and treatment with the same honesty and humour that he has described his journey to become a Baptist minister, or to perfect his comedy act. He is overwhelmed when friends fundraise to pay for a treatment, then not available on the NHS.

Allan admits: “The irony is, just when I’m not sure how long I’ll physically be in my skin, I think I’m finally comfortable in it. I’m not beating myself up for all my shortcomings anymore.”

Allan Finnegan’s story is inspiring and challenging. It reminds me that God is at work in the comedy club and building site, as well as in church.

I Didn’t Ask for Any of This – Church, Comedy & Cancer (Broad Place Publishing) is out now.