First Dates star reveals consequences of cancer diagnosis as he opens up on health

ok.co.uk:

Merlin Griffiths has opened up about the life-changing consequences he has dealt with following his bowel cancer diagnosis.The First Dates star, 48, was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer in 2021 and underwent surgery to remove the tumour in April last year, but despite having come out the other side of his cancer battle Merlin has revealed that his life will never be the same.

Appearing on BBC Breakfast, Merlin shared that he has been "living with the fallout" but that otherwise he's "all good." He said: "As anyone who has been through with cancer and come out of the other side knows, there are always consequences to something like this that are life-changing. "I have a condition called Low Anterior Resection Syndrome now to deal with, but that’s all right.

We live with it, we move forward.The main thing is, one is alive and able to smile and able to work at the bar in the restaurant." Asked if his cancer battle has given him a new appreciation of life, Merlin continued: "It does and it doesn’t, it’s an experience one parks and you draw upon it when you need it." Back in June 2023, Merlin revealed that he had been given the "all-clear", as he shared a snap of the email he received after his scan.

The email read: "Your CT scan has just come through. All looks good, there are no signs of any reoccurrence. Hope this is reassuring." Sharing a screenshot to Instagram, he wrote: "Final Year 1 scan results are in, and it's ALL CLEAR for now.