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First Dates Merlin Griffiths Has Been Diagnosed With Cancer

First Dates Merlin Griffiths Has Been Diagnosed With Cancer

He was given the devastating news six weeks ago

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

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."

Speaking to the Mirror, Griffiths revealed that he now faces a year of treatment and that doctors have told him he has a 75 percent chance of living beyond five-years.

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?'.

Instagram

"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'.

Instagram/Channel 4

"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."

Featured Image Credit: Channel 4

Topics: UK News, TV and Film, Celebrity