I Didn't Ask For Any of This: Church, Comedy and Cancer

by Allan Finnegan

I didn't ask for any of this…

When Allan was little, he hoped to be a footballer. But, like many things in 'Brutal Bootle', that dream was quickly demolished. Thoughts of God never got beyond Mr Godson's classroom, until his future mother-in-law insisted church attendance was a condition of dating the lovely Joyce. Faced with that ultimatum, he went along.

I didn't ask for any of this…

Especially not becoming the church minister! But when a throw-away comment landed Allan on the stage of a comedy club, everything changed. He found his calling. Somewhere he could make a difference. Something he was good at. So good that he ended up on Britain's Got Talent.

I didn't ask for any of this…

Especially not the terminal cancer diagnosis.

210 pages, Paperback

Published January 30, 2026

Reviews

[Janice E]

A great read. Very honest, amusing and real.

[Linda Mitchell]

I thoroughly enjoyed the diversity of this book. An honest reflection of vulnerability, resilience and the ability to introduce humour where it is least expected! Thank you for the insight into religion, comedy and how you faced personal trauma x

[Reader]

When I finished this book, I had to sit for about an hour and just let it all sink in.

I’m fortunate enough to have spent (on occasional comedy writing retreats) small, but good amounts of time with Allan. But when someone is dying, it’s never enough time. So that time I already spent with him, has become precious time, precious memories.

That’s how it feels reading this book. With every page that I enjoyed, I felt sad knowing I was closer to the end. And I didn’t want the journey with Allan to end. I wanted to savour the time to get to know him better. But contrary to not wanting the book to finish, I couldn’t stop reading it! I planned to read the book in short, small bursts, as I’m not a natural reader, but it’s just one of those books that is hard to put down.
Sometimes Allan’s directness is kind of ‘spit your tea out’ funny! But then you remember he’s dying, and we should expect nothing less than brute honesty! He’s earned the right to it after all!

This is a fantastic read, and will no doubt make you both laugh and cry. As is mentioned in the book, Allan has a unique perspective. Both as a comedian and Minister, the book oscillates beautifully between the two in a journal type form. And if you’ve ever felt under qualified for anything, Allan will make you feel better! Until you realise you’re at the end of the book, and the end of the journey.

Then you may have to settle your little red book down (this book is red btw incase you thought I’d gone communist) and just let it all sink in. And maybe as I did. Have a little pray.

At the end of our retreats we used to do something called accountability. We would say to the 20 to 30 other people in the room what our creative goals were for the next year. We haven’t got to do that for some years now, but Allan, I’m so proud of you. You wrote a book!!! And you’re mega unwell!! And it’s a really flippin’ great one!!! You were NEVER thick mate!

[Kevin Thomas]

I Didn't Ask for Any of This is well written in a way that makes it extremely accessible and gives a real sense of journeying with Allan as he shares his story. There's laughter, there's tears and pretty much everything in between.

It's more than just a book though.

It's a compelling, honest and raw testimony.

It's a mirror that causes us to reflect on our own doubts and questions of faith that we might prefer to avoid.

It's a reminder that in the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, in the mundane as well as the how on earth did this happens God walks with us.

Thanks Allan

[Reader]

Laugh out loud memoir from Rev Allan Finnegan. Take your front row seat as the curtain rises on his comedy gigs. His journal entries frame his life’s tour from Bootle building sites to Baptist minister to a bewildered semi-finalist on Britain’s Got Talent. A rare gem from a people’s pastor.

Honest, heart-warming and hopeful to the last laugh. Even as he faces his final curtain

[Lee Jennings]

A light hearted yet vulnerably honest book about Allan’s unexpected journey to be a Baptist minister, comedian and the place where faith collides with difficult times in the form cancer.
Interspersed with hilarious reflections from the stand up comedy circuit. It will have you crying with laughter throughout. Well worth a read.

[Mrs Debbie]

Well written, easy to read and humorous walk through Allan's unpredictable and unexpected life.

[Hannah]

Highly recommend reading this.

[Tom]

I Didn’t Ask For Any of This by Allan Finnegan is an inspirational story of an incredible man. I read this book in one sitting, laughing and crying as I journeyed with Allan from his upbringing in Bootle, through becoming a Christian, discovering comedy, appearing on Britain’s Got Talent, and ultimately facing his heartbreaking cancer diagnosis. It is honest, moving, and deeply real. I wholeheartedly recommend both Allan and this book to you.

[Allan Finnegan]

I wrote this book as a memoir after receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis. It was really good looking back over my life and gave me joy reflecting on it.

It’s really good to hear the feedback I’m getting on here and social media. Thank you for your encouragement.

I enjoyed it I hope you do too