Channel 4 star that appeared in Skint show found dead in shed after overdose

Richard Finn, who starred in the controversial Channel 4 documentary Skint, died after taking a fatal mix of drugs, an inquest has heard.

An inquest into his death was held at Cleethorpes Town Hall yesterday, where is cause of death was confirmed.

The Channel 4 star, who was 45 when he died, was well-known to many around the town of Grimsby due to his TV stint, and was often seen with his pet ferret Jet on his shoulder.

Richard had reportedly found shelter in a resident’s shed on Marlborough Close at the time of his death, after sleeping rough for one year.

Described as one of Grimsby’s “lovable rogues”, he was known to many as “Finny” or “Little Richard”.

“Richard and his siblings witnessed his dad drink a lot of alcohol which no doubt rubbed off on them, I think this is one reason Richard was a big drinker himself,” Linda said.

“He was a sociable young boy who had many friends. He would often go out first thing in the morning and only come back home when it was time to eat.

“He was never one for school and I don’t think he was there as much as we thought he was,” she added.

“He left Phoenix House Academy in 1994 and got a job at Cherry Valley, which he loved. However, he couldn’t hold it down for long and he never really had a job after that.”

Describing the thoughtful things her son would do for her, Linda continued in a statement read out at the inquest: “He would often pop and see me and bring me little ornaments that made him think of me.

“I still have some up around the house to this day. He was a loveable rogue.”

She added: “It was a big shock when I was told the news about his death. It was so unexpected and I was so upset because he only got to live to 45, but he will never be forgotten.”

Richard rose to fame on the hit Channel 4 show Skint, which examined some of the country’s most deprived communities back in 2014.

Aired to an audience of over one million people, the Grimsby-based show proved controversial with some viewers and local residents due to how poverty and the local area was portrayed.