First Dates barman Merlin Griffiths says he is “on the road to recovery” after he was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer last year.
The Channel 4 star appeared on BBC Breakfast on Wednesday during a segment to raise awareness of the disease. Hosts Jon Kay and Sally Nugent interviewed him alongside A Question of Sport star and Bowel Cancer UK patron Matt Dawson.
Jon said: “Merlin, how are you doing my friend?”
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Merlin replied: “Very well, thank you very much, all things considered. On the road to recovery, it’s long and slow but we’ll get there.”
Sally said: “Tell us your story. What happened to you?”
Merlin said: “I should have got there earlier – I’ll be completely honest – but I did get there and treatment was effective. I think it’s very important that people do follow up these symptoms.
“The sooner you catch it, the better it is for you.”
Sally asked: “Merlin, how is your family doing?”
He replied: “They’re doing very well thank you. They have been an absolute rock throughout this.
“Without the support of my family, what could I have done?”
Sally then asked the First Dates favourite how he handled breaking the news of his diagnosis to his daughter, to which he said he had been very frank and very honest. He added: “I think much like doctors will speak to patients.
“You literally have to say the truth as it is. I tried to sweep it under the carpet but I should have taken it more seriously.
“The initial checks aren’t very invasive and are very easy and quick to do.”
Merlin first shared his diagnosis last September, revealing doctors had found a stage three tumour around 4.5cm wide in his bowel. He underwent surgery in April and said his treatment was “going well” before suffering a “frustrating setback” over the summer.
BBC Breakfast airs daily on BBC One at 6am.
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