First Dates Merlin Griffiths Has Been Diagnosed With Cancer

First Dates' bartender Merlin Griffiths has been diagnosed with bowel cancer.

The 46-year-old star was given the devastating news six weeks ago but has vowed: "I won't let it get the better of me."

In a heart-breaking interview with the publication, Griffiths opened up about the moment he broke the news to his seven-year-old daughter Alix.

He said: "I said, 'Dad's got cancer'. She said, 'Is that bad, Dad?'.

"I said, 'Yes, it's very serious but I think it should be OK. Modern medicine's great and if anything changes I'll let you know'.

"She understands that people can die but I told her cancer comes in different varieties and in different ways too - and that many people come through it."

Griffiths said he began to experience 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 said: "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 percent survival rate, and went on to say he has 'faith' in modern medicine.

Griffths 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."