Merlin Griffiths’ ‘horrific’ cancer battle and how life will ‘never be the same’ again: ‘It’s quite a major amputation’

It’s been quite a ride for the First Dates bartender

TV bartender Merlin Griffiths was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2021, and opened up about the gruelling treatments he underwent in order to fight it in a recent interview.

The Channel 4 star – on James Martin’s Saturday Morning this weekend (February 22) – got the all clear in June 2023, but has since said his life will “never be the same” after cancer treatment.

A few months after receiving the good news the cancer had gone, Merlin revealed that he’d been suffering with a condition called low anterior resection syndrome – something he’ll have for the rest of his life.

Here’s how he got to where he is…

Griffiths predicts that most people underestimate the lingering effects of cancer treatment on patients (Credit: The Chefs’ Forum/YouTube)

Merlin Griffiths got his bowel cancer diagnosis in 2021

The First Dates barman revealed that he’d received a bowel cancer diagnosis in September of 2021.

At the time, doctors reportedly told him he had a 75% chance of surviving past five years. On top of that, he’d have to endure a year of treatment.

Fast forward to 2025. He received 18 months of gruelling treatment, including chemotherapy. But at least he’s alive to talk about it.

“Thankfully off the IV chemo now,” he wrote on social media at the time. “Found it horrific, knocked me for six.”

His tumour was removed via robotic surgery in April 2022, and he celebrated the fact with an Instagram post. Fans rallied in support, calling it the “best news ever”.

Merlin thanked the NHS for “literally saving my life”. But it wasn’t the end of the road. For months, he experienced setbacks and complications, and was in and out of hospital until summer of that year.

He’s grateful to the NHS for saving his life, and has learned to live with the reality of being a cancer survivor (Credit: Sky News/YouTube)

Life will ‘never be the same’ for First Dates barman following cancer treatment

“My life will never quite be the same,” Merlin told the Mirror in August 2024. “And anyone that has gone through bowel cancer and the horrific treatment that it involves will understand.

“I might look whole, but I’m actually missing about 45% of my insides. It’s quite a major amputation internally that I have had.”

He also reflected on the fact that he’s likely to suffer from lower anterior resection syndrome for the rest of his life, as a consequence of tumour removal.

“All forms of cancers tend to have longer-term fallouts that a lot of people I don’t think are aware of, but I still approach every day with positivity, because… What else can I do? It’s been difficult but I’m so grateful to be here.”