I work behind the bar on First Dates but serving drinks isn’t my real job, says Merlin Griffiths

HIS job as a bartender on First Dates may be to serve drinks to nervous singletons, but Merlin Griffiths secretly offers so much more.

The 47-year-old is the friendly face daters see after being told to wait at the bar for their potential love interest.

He lends an ear during the anxious wait – sometimes offering helpful advice or even a slight distraction.

“It’s about making them feel comfortable and settling them in,” Merlin told The Sun.

“Hospitality is the name of game. 

“This is about being professional and hospitable. Service first, service beyond everything else. 

“I could be serving water, but I’ll make sure every water is the best water Ive ever served and it’s the exact one you wanted.“

Merlin describes his First Dates co-stars – including Fred Siriex and Cici Coleman – as “like family”.

They’ve been supporting him over the past six months since he was diagnosed with bowel cancer.

Three months prior to the devastating diagnosis, Merlin started to get pain in his stomach, which he thought was because of a car accident that happened when he was 20.

Doctors went on to discover a 4.5cm Stage 3 tumour.

He says he’s “doing well” after a major operation in April, having thanked the NHS for saving his life.

Merlin is now focused on his health – and has teamed up with Harrogate Spring Water to launch Royal Ascot’s first ever reduced and no alcohol bar today as part of an initiative to encourage mindful drinking.

Merlin has concocted an exclusive non-alcohol cocktail for Royal Ascot and will be creating it at the bar for racegoers to enjoy.

Named the ‘Jubilee Spritz’, the mocktail uses Harrogate Sparkling Water, touches of lavender, reminiscent of the rolling Yorkshire countryside, combined with aromatic CleanCo G 0% botanical spirit, complemented by a touch of fresh lemon juice for a refreshing taste.

“Mindful drinking makes a lot of sense,” says Merlin.

“I’m glad to see someone like Harrogate Spring Water is really taking this on board, running with it and getting it out to a wider audience.

“Of course health is important to me and it will remain so for the foreseeable future now, absolutely.”