Beloved First Dates barman Merlin Griffiths will feature in new episodes amid bowel cancer journey-Cydney Yeates-Entertainment – Metro

Merlin will appear in the brand new series of First Dates (Picture: Channel 4)

First Dates star Merlin Griffiths will feature in the entirety of series 9 of the Channel 4 show amid his bowel cancer journey.

The 47-year-old, who works as the barman on the popular programme, announced he had been diagnosed with the disease in September last year.

Merlin, who has been in and out of hospital in recent weeks, will be back behind the bar and serving singletons their drink requests as they prepare to meet the partner of their dreams in the new episodes, which begin airing tonight.

And no doubt, fans will be delighted.

Last month, Merlin announced he’s ‘back home’ after he was hospitalised with ‘complications’ relating to his illness.

Merlin’s recent hospital dash came after undergoing surgery to have a tumour removed. 

However, not soon after going under the knife, he shared a post from a hospital bed, writing: ‘Oh Squibwibble,’ with a fingers crossed emoji.

Merlin was recently hospitalised with complications due to his bowel cancer (Picture: Instagram)

The post included a photo of himself laying in a hospital bed with a unicorn face mask on and a bandage on his hand.

First Dates star Fred Sirieix recently promised to keep in touch with his ‘incredible’ co-star Merlin, and said the barman is ‘incredibly stoic in the face of what’s happening to him’.

‘I really love him. He’s incredibly positive and pragmatic as well. I’m just not surprised because that’s the type of guy he is. You can always rely on Merlin,’ Fred told the Mail Online. 

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He revealed that he has been speaking over the phone and texting with Merlin, ‘making sure he’s ok’. 

Merlin previously underwent surgery in April after raising awareness during Bowel Cancer Awareness Month.

After the surgery, he thanked the NHS for ‘literally saving my life’.

First Dates airs tonight at 9pm on Channel 4.

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