First Dates barman Merlin Griffiths has thanked the NHS for saving his life.
The 46-year-old Channel 4 star, loved by viewers for his cheerful manner, announced in September that he had been diagnosed with bowel cancer.
Since then, he has been updating followers with his battle with cancer, sharing various snaps from hospital beds.
But on Wednesday, the barman took to Instagram and Twitter to share a smiling selfie and update fans about his “robotic surgery” that removed a tumour.
Posting to his 64.400 followers on Instagram, he wrote: “And breathe. 6 days, start to finish.
“Now for real #cancer recovery. I’ve had open laparotomies before and the recovery was 6 weeks in hospital before robotic surgery!! Amazing.”
He later took to Twitter to reveal more details of his surgery and thank the NHS for the “excellent” cancer care he had received.
In a tweet to his 48,000 followers, Griffiths wrote: “Now I’m home I’d also like to share that the excellent #cancer care has been jointly provided by MDT’s at @OUHospitals & @nhsuhcw.
“Both treating patients with latest gold (standard) pathways for best outcomes. Highly recommended if you need to refer your case.
“Journey is far from over yet. But the path is now clearer than it has been for quite some time. #nhs #BowelCancerAwarenessMonth”
He was sent well wishes by friends and fans, with fellow First Dates restaurant staff member Cici Coleman leaving four love heart emojis.
Laura Tott, who also works on the show, wrote: "Sending you so much love", while the show's waiter Grant Urquhart commented: "Good luck mate".
One follower wrote: "Awe I've been waiting for an update, hope your feeling as well as can be, you've got this Merlin."
Griffiths rose to fame as the bartender who chats to the daters while they wait at the bar for their match in Channel 4’s hit show.
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Last week he began updating fans on his cancer treatment in a series of posts on social media, including photographs from hospital before and after his surgery.
He shared a selfie from hospital, wearing a mask before his operation, with the caption “Ready as I’ll ever be. Tumour removal time.”
Griffiths later shared another selfie post-surgery, lying in a bed wearing a hospital gown, and wrote: “2am. Tubes outta everywhere. Aches and pains. But no tumour!”
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