First Dates Barman Merlin Griffiths Set To Have 'Robotic' Op As He Fights Cancer

First Dates bartender Merlin Griffiths has revealed he's set to get 'robotic surgery' in the coming weeks as he continues to battle bowel cancer.

The 46-year-old dad-of-one received the devastating diagnosis last year, but was told by doctors that he had a 75% chance of living beyond five-years.

He said in September that he has to undergo a year of treatment, adding that he 'won't let it get the better' of him.

And in a recent update, Merlin took to Twitter to reveal he's set to get 'robotic surgery', maintaining his calm and positive outlook he's become known for on the Channel 4 dating show.

"Operation scheduled. 3 weeks to get my sh*t together," he said in a tweet shared yesterday, 24 March. "Robotic surgery, welcome to the future!"

Robotic surgery is a type of procedure that is done using robotic systems, and allows doctors to perform all types of complex surgeries with more precision, flexibility and control than is possible with conventional techniques.

Dozens of people took to the comments section to share their support and praise Merlin, with one writing: "Hope everything goes really well for you Merlin. You are a credit to First Dates. A great guy who deserves nothing but the best outcome."

Another said: "Good luck Merlin, you are the 2nd most positive person I've seen and read tweets from, 1st being my 11 yr old who battled cancer last 2 yrs. Carry on being positive, keep smiling because the NHS are brilliant."

Channel 4

A third added: "Good luck. I had right hemicolectomy done via robotics! Recovery is so much quicker! Hope it all goes to plan."

Merlin being the absolute gem that he is took time to thank the fans, following up the post by writing: "Thank you to everyone wishing me well. X... May your lives be prosperous and filled with empathy and happiness."

The iconic bartender spoke about his diagnosis in autumn last year, describing how he felt stomach pains in June but initially thought they were related to an old injury he sustained in a car accident.

But by July he was left with bloating and nausea that was so bad he went to A&E and, following a series of tests and another trip to A&E in August, medics discovered the Stage 3 tumour.

He told the Mirror at the time: "I thought, as most people must when they get a diagnosis, 'Oh f**k, I've got cancer'.

"I also wanted to know, what are my chances of surviving? It's terrifying - of course I want to live.

"I've shed a tear in private. But you can choose 'to do' or 'not to do'. I chose to lead my life as normal, to stick to the facts about it, and to keep putting one step in front of the other."

He has since been given a 75% survival rate, and went on to say he has 'faith' in modern medicine.

Griffiths said: "My oncologist said, 'Your five-year outlook is 75 percent [chance of survival], but we aim to cure'.

"Obviously that's a lot lower than I'd want but I have so much faith in medicine and the NHS in this country, which is just so incredible."