First Dates bartender Merlin Griffiths has opened up about the long-lasting impact his cancer battle has had on him.
The Channel 4 star was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2021 and after undergoing gruelling 18-month treatment including chemotherapy, he was given the all-clear last year.
He will now continue to be under medical observation for the next two years and while he is gradually returning to full strength, says he will never be the same person that he was before.
"My life will never quite be the same, 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,” he told the Mirror. “It's quite a major amputation internally that I have had."
"For the rest of my life, I'll have this condition called Lower Anterior Resection Syndrome. 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 everyday with positivity because, what else can I do. It's been difficult but I'm so grateful to be here. I'm genuinely happy to savour every single day that I'm here quite frankly.
"Some people make extreme bucket lists after an experience like this, but I'm just happy to enjoy the small things in life which make life so special."
He also offered some words of advice to those currently going through their own battle.
He emphasised the power of positivity and to “keep your chin up,” he told the publication: “Cancer is not always a death sentence, people have to remember that. Modern medicine is incredibly good.”
