First Dates barman Merlin Griffiths updates fans after bowel cancer operation
He's thanked the NHS for saving his life
First Dates' legendary barman Merlin Griffiths has taken to social media to update his followers after undergoing a life saving operation following his bowel cancer diagnosis.
Merlin, who announced back in September he'd been diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer, revealed last week he was about to undergo surgery to hopefully remove the tumour.
Sharing a photo of himself from his hospital bed following the surgery, 46-year-old Merlin said: '2am. Tubes outta everywhere. Aches and pains. But no tumour!'. (sic)
He later added on Twitter: 'Thank you #NHS for literally saving my life'.
Now that he is home recovering, Merlin has been updating his followers even further on the procedure.
He told fans: 'And home again. 6 days from surgery. #NHS #davincisurgicalsystem is quite something. It's taken weeks off hospitalisation time! Road to recovery next. #cancer #bowelcancer #stoma'. (sic)
Merlin later added: 'Now I'm home I'd also like to share that the excellent #cancer care has been jointly provided by MDT's at @OUHospitals & @nhsuhcw. Both treating patients with latest gold std pathways for best outcomes. Highly recommended if you need to refer your case. #NHS
'Initial treatment plan (neoadjuvant) and chemotherapy at Oxford @OUHospitals.Final radiochemotherapy, assessments and Da Vinci operation with @nhsuhcw Coventry. Both have state of the art facilities & staff where it matters. Eternal thx to both. ♥️💙♥️.
'Journey is far from over yet. But the path is now clearer than it has been for quite some time. #nhs #BowelCancerAwarenessMonth'. (sic)
Merlin, who puts First Dates contestants at ease before meeting their dates on the popular Channel 4 show, first announced his shock diagnosis last September.
Speaking to the Sunday Mirror at the time, Merlin said: “I thought, as most people must when they get a diagnosis, ‘Oh f---, I’ve got cancer.
“I also wanted to know, what are my chances of surviving? It’s terrifying – of course I want to live. I’ve shed a tear in private. But you can choose ‘to do’ or ‘not to do’. I chose to lead my life as normal, to stick to the facts about it, and to keep putting one step in front of the other.”
If you're a fan of First Dates, you'll know that Merlin has been part of the team since the show first started in 2013.
Although he works as a bar attender on the show, Merlin is a pub landlord and has also previously worked for Bombay Sapphire gin as a brand ambassador.
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We wish Merlin a speedy recovery! ❤️