Merlin Griffiths from First Dates shares health update from hospital bed

Star of the hit dating show First Dates, Merlin Griffiths, shared an update from his hospital bed after having his stoma bag removed while being treated for cancer.

He shared a post on his Instagram account to ‘update’ fans after coming out of surgery to have his stoma bag removed in his final treatment for cancer.

The 47-year-old was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2021 and has since been receiving treatment as well as raising awareness around the disease and sharing the stages of his journey with followers. He was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer after a 4.5cm tumour was found inside his bowel.

Merlin can usually be seen serving up the drinks to potential couples as they nervously await their blind date, and chats to them making them feel at ease on the reality dating show.

Merlin underwent surgery in April of last year and faced a setback in September, but in his recent post shared on Monday he told followers that he was in the final stage of his cancer treatment.

In the positive update, he said: “Ouch. Time for a nap. Surgery done, tomorrow is a new day. Things start happening properly once I fart! I hope it’s soon because I’m very hungry.

“Feels weird looking down and not seeing a #stoma. My hands keep feeling for my bag to see how full it is and it’s coming up empty!!”

Adding:“My thanks to our amazing @nhsengland for their care. X” 

Merlin also confessed that his comfort teddy, which was with him before his surgery and also had a stoma bag, had gone to a new home, saying: “Lastly, the @buttonybear is winging its way via the surgical team to a child with a stoma.”

Alongside the same image on a Twitter post, Merlin wrote: “Gosh, it’s very odd knowing all my insides are actually inside me again after nine months of a #stoma. 

“Next step, farting. Then food. #NHS #Cancer #Surgery.”

Chef Marcus Bean was among the first to respond to Merlin’s update, writing: “Wishing you a speedy recovery, keep pushing mate, you’re doing amazing! Can’t wait to see you on our screens behind the bar doing an amazing job as always.”

And, a fan wrote: “Great to see you and the updates you are sharing I was diagnosed two weeks before Christmas with bowel cancer and go into hospital tomorrow for my op. I don’t feel so worried now you have posted this.”