First dates star Merlin Griffiths reveals he has no sign of cancer
Everyone's favourite bartender Merlin Griffiths has announced the amazing news that there is no evidence of cancer in his body two years after being diagnosed with bowel cancer.
Griffiths won the hearts of the nation by hyping up nervous singles getting ready to meet their perfect pairing on Channel 4's First Dates, while simultaneously whipping up their favourite drinks behind the bar.
He first revealed he had been diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2021, explaining to The Sun that he went to his GP after noticing a few worrying symptoms.
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He appeared to be otherwise healthy, but in A&E doctors 'connected the dots' and he was given the diagnosis.
Griffiths underwent operations and chemotherapy, all the while keeping fans updated with posts on his social media.
He recently underwent surgery to reverse his stoma, and last night (5 April), Griffiths shared one of the best updates yet with a snap of a hospital report which read: "No cancer seen."
He explained that he'd gone to hospital for a one-year colonoscopy check-up for the cancer, admitting it was a tough experience as preparation for the check-up was 'soo difficult'.
"Soiled the bed several times overnight, resorted to adult nappies, got about 2 hours kip," he wrote. "Felt like hell. First one with my newly connected a**e 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."
"Love to all you fellow bowel cancer peeps, keep on keeping on," he wrote, alongside a snap of him giving the middle finger - presumably towards cancer.
The bartender was flooded with excited comments from supportive fans, with one writing: "You’re a legend Merlin never forget that."
Another comment reads: "Great news - your honesty and frankness is a credit to you."
When he opened up about his health journey in November, Griffiths stressed the importance of distinguishing between 'living with cancer' and being 'cancer free'.
"That’s an important distinction to make," he said. "Just because you have an operation to remove the tumour doesn’t mean that all of a sudden you are cancer free.
“They used to call it remission, now they call it NED, which means no evidence of disease. So NED happens after five years for bowel cancer. Now it’s a five-year ongoing process before they are willing to say alright, yeah, you’re about as safe as you can be.”
In the wake of the good news, Griffiths is set to undergo his next check-up in three years' time. If there continues to be no evidence of cancer, his final check-up will take place in 2027.
Topics: TV And Film, Health, Celebrity
Emily Brown