First Dates' Merlin Griffiths updates fans following hospital stay

Merlin Griffiths, best known for being the friendly barman on Channel 4 show First Dates, has taken to Instagram to update fans after revealing earlier this week he was back in hospital after suffering complications with bowel cancer.

46-year-old Merlin first announced he'd been diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer in September 2021, but after undergoing a life-saving operation in April, Merlin revealed his tumour had been removed, and it looked like he was on the mend.

However, after suffering complications, Merlin shared a photo of himself in his hospital bed, telling fans: Oh... Squibwibble. #complications #nhs #BowelCancerAwareness 🤞'. (sic)

A day later, Merlin updated fans saying: 'Home again. Back again Friday. Had a very very small #anastamoticleak with abscess and collection.

'It's a dreaded complication with any bowel resection. My awesome surgeon Mr Bajwa is confident we can fix it.

'For now it means having more tubes lodged up my arse and regular hospital visits for mini-operations until it's healed.

'Strict rest only orders for me too.

'#nhs #BowelCancerAwareness

'I'm alive, which is the main thing.' (sic)

Back in April, Merlin publicly thanked the NHS for saving his life following life-saving surgery to remove his tumour.

He wrote: '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 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)

We wish Merlin a speedy recovery! Sending all of our love.❤️

You can find out more and get support with bowel cancer right here.

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• First Dates