First Dates’ Merlin Griffiths shares seriously frank health update after cancer battle and concern from fans

FIRST Dates barman Merlin Griffiths has shared a candid health update after being diagnosed with cancer two years ago.

The TV personality, who is a regular on the Channel 4 dating show, has updated fans.

After his own struggle with cancer, Merlin, 47 has stressed the significance of "demystifying" the illness and its treatment.

“There is still a certain amount of classic British reserve in the way that we deal with a lot of health issues,” he told 

“And this one is particularly – it is in that area, isn't it? Because it's bowel cancer and in my case it was rectal cancer.

The First Dates barman then addressed "bowel habits," emphasising the importance of "normalising poo".

He added: "So yeah, I've got to talk about a***s. I’ve got to talk about poo. I've got to talk about bowel habits, so on and so forth. You have to normalise this."

The previous health update from the Channel 4 star, was shared in June.

Merlin told fans that his one-year post-treatment scan was negative.

The TV personality first went to his GP in 2021 with symptoms but due to being under 50 and appearing otherwise healthy, his appointment with a gastroenterologist was booked for several months later. 

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

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