First Dates star Merlin shares huge cancer update after two years of treatment

FIRST Dates' Merlin Griffiths has delighted fans after issuing a huge update on his cancer treatment.

The TV barman, 47, was diagnosed with bowel cancer two years ago and recently had surgery to reverse his stoma.

Merlin took to Instagram last night and revealed his annual colonoscopy check up for bowel cancer had come back "clear".

He posted two images of himself in a hospital gown and his positive results which stated "No cancer seen".

Merlin wrote: "Scroll across… 1 year colonoscopy check up for #bowelcancer.

"Prep was soo difficult this time. Soiled the bed several times overnight, resorted to adult nappies, got about 2 hours kip.

"Felt like hell. First one with my newly connected arse too (sans rectum), so I was a little nervous.

"But along with my last blood tests (clear), at one year examination, we're clear! Phew. Next one at 3 years (2025). Last one at 5 years (2027)."

His supporters shared their joy over his latest update, and First Dates host Fred Sirieix shared a heart emoji.

Another fan said: "You’re a legend Merlin never forget that."

As one more raved: ";Great news - your honesty and frankness is a credit to you."

Merlin, who runs his own pub outside of the Channel 4 show, told The Sun last year that he first went to his GP with symptoms but due to being under 50, and appearing otherwise healthy, his appointment with a gastroenterologist was booked for several months later. 

He was then rushed to hospital with major symptoms and thankfully in A&E “they connected the dots".

He said about the experience: "I didn’t expect to end up in A&E in excruciating pain, but there you go."

Merlin then spent weeks at a time in hospital recovering from operations and chemotherapy, which he finished in December 2021.

His said his bosses at First Dates were "amazing" and adjusted filming around his treatment to ensure he remained on screen.

However, Merlin said for most patients the cost of cancer has become a huge problem.

He said: “It rarely gets talked about. I'm lucky, in the sense that I own my business but my business took the hit of my inactivity. For instance for six weeks at the end of last year, I was in hospital every single day five days a week. 

“The average (it costs cancer patients) is £540 a month extra. I’m out in Leicestershire, my local hospital is Coventry. Imagine driving there and back to get treated, all that petrol, parking charges at hospital, and then the cost to your family. For a lot of the treatments you’re not capable of driving, of operating heavy machinery! There is a cost, and a lifestyle adjustment.

“The guys at ’s are there to sit down and hold your hand through it.”