30 January 2023 , 13:12
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First Dates star Merlin Griffiths has shared a health update with fans as he undergoes treatment for bowel cancer.
Following his diagnosis in 2021, the barman on the Channel 4 dating show has had a tumour and part of his colon removed.
"Phew. Getting discharged from hospital today," Merlin told fans.
"It's been a tough and fraught week. Recovery will not be fast, but I'll get there. And I've got much better TP at home! Thank you @nhsuhcw, exemplary as always."
Rushing to wish him well, one fan wrote: "Best of luck Merlin, hope alls going well and that you’re able to get back into what you do so well."
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Merlin Griffiths has shared an update on his cancer battle (Twitter)
The TV barman has been sharing regular updates after he was diagnosed with bowel cancer (Twitter/ @@MerlinFDC4)Another added: "Bless you Merlin, much better to be at home, and thank your for sharing your journey."
"Best of luck with your continued recovery - hopefully you’ll relax and feel more comfortable at home," chimed a third.
Merlin said that after undergoing chemotherapy and two operations, he is living with bowel cancer.
He is a much-loved part of Channel 4's First Dates (Instagram/ @merlinfdc4)He spoke about how one of his operations was to reverse his abdominal stoma.
Merlin was fitted with a colostomy bag, but has had it removed which means he will finally be able to go to the toilet normally.
Updating his followers with his progress, he wrote: "Gosh, it's very odd knowing all my insides are actually inside me again after 9 months of a #stoma.
He has been posing with Buttony the Bear, who also has a stoma (Merlin Griffiths/Instagram)"Next step, farting. Then food. # NHS #Cancer #Surgery"
The TV star, who would often spend his time on the programme calming the nerves of the hopeful singletons, said that he is living with cancer.
He told The Sun: "“That’s an important distinction to make. Just because you have an operation to remove the tumour doesn’t mean that all of a sudden you are cancer free.
Merlin has praised bosses for fitting in filming schedules around his treatment (Julian Hamilton/Sunday Mirror)“They used to call it remission, now they call it NED, which means no evidence of disease.
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“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.”
He said that he will still have to have regular check ups over the next ten years.
Merlin explained that it takes ten years to be considered cancer free (© Nick Harvey 2019)Do you enjoy reading about celebrities? Sign up for all the best celeb news from the Mirror .
Merlin explained that it's only after ten years that the disease doesn't reoccur that people are "technically cured".
He has been posing with a teddy bear called Buttony Bear, which also has a stoma.
The adorable teddy is given to children, who like Merlin, have been fitted with a bag.