Fans Flood First Date's Merlin Griffiths With Support After 'Painful' Cancer Operation

Beloved First Dates star Merlin Griffiths has offered fans a health update after undergoing a rather painful tumour-removal surgery.

It was September 2021 when the popular Channel 4 bartender announced he had been diagnosed with bowel cancer. Since then, he has been bringing fans along for the journey, sharing details from his hospital bed.

Followers were thrilled this week when Merlin revealed that he is almost ready to pack up and go home after a successful surgery, and took to Twitter to wish him well on his recovery.

Giving fans a thumbs up from his bed a few days after his operation, Merlin tweeted: "Almost there. Another day and then off home. #bowelcancer #stoma #alive".

Just last week, he had shared a selfie to Instagram when his tumour-removal procedure had finally wrapped up, writing at the time: "2am. Tubes outta everywhere. Aches and pains. But no tumour!"

Relieved to see that Merlin was recovering well from the surgery, fans gathered under Merlin's Twitter update to congratulate him.

"Fantastic news that you’re getting home, take it easy" wrote one Twitter user.

"Good luck with the last day and enjoy home xxx" added a second.

"Get well soon Merlin hope all goes well and you have a speedy recovery. You've got this" commented a third.

Hoping to keep his spirits up, a fourth tweeted: "Stay strong Merlin. It takes time to adjust, but each day will be a step forward, take care."

As part of his operation, Merlin revealed that he was given a stoma. Fans were more than happy to share their own words of wisdom with the celebrity bartender, and commend him on being so open about the procedure.

One fan commented: "Thank you for sharing your story and recovery Merlin! It's so important to break down these 'poo' stigmas best wishes!"

Replying to her thoughtful message, Merlin wrote back: "Thank you. No-one should be ashamed of basic bodily functions. #BowelCancerAwarenessMonth".

Merlin had first gone to the hospital with complaints of bloating and nausea when doctors detected a stage three tumour in his bowel.

The 46-year-old has been walking his fans through his bowel cancer journey, especially in the hopes of spreading the word on Bowel Cancer Awareness Month this April.

Just last week, the Channel 4 star posted a selfie from his hospital bed, writing: "Thank you #NHS for literally saving my life. #BowelCancerAwarenessMonth."