First Dates barman Merlin Griffiths’ condition explained after he gives health update

First Dates barman Merlin Griffiths’ condition has been explained following a recent health update.

The Channel 4 reality star - who was diagnosed with bowel cancer back in 2021 - was forced to undergo surgery to remove the tumour.

Thankfully, just a few months ago he received the brilliant news that he'd got the all clear 'for now'.

Taking to Instagram, Griffiths shared a screenshot of the email from his doctor from June, which read: "Hi Merlin, Hope you are well. Your CT scan has just come through. All looks good, there are no signs of any reoccurrence. Hope this is reassuring."

"Final Year 1 scan results are in, and it's ALL CLEAR for now. Nice. Thank you #NHS #bowelcancerawareness," he added in the caption.

"There is still a certain amount of classic British reserve in the way that we deal with a lot of health issues," Griffiths also said in an interview with the Express in October.

"And this one is particularly – it is in that area, isn't it? Because it's bowel cancer and in my case it was rectal cancer.

"So yeah, I've got to talk about a***s. I've got to talk about poo. I've got to talk about bowel habits, so on and so forth. You have to normalise this."

Instagram/@merlinfdc4

The Gloucestershire-born TV star has been readjusting to life since getting back on his feet and is back on our screens for the new series of First Dates, which returned on 2 January.

Ahead of the Channel 4 show's comeback, he appeared on BBC Breakfast alongside new waitress Aoife Smyth to discuss what fans should expect, as well as what life is like for him now living with 'the consequences' of bowel cancer.

While Griffiths told the hosts he is 'all good', he revealed he is still dealing with 'the fallout' of his health struggle, as well as a recent diagnosis.

He explained: "As anyone who has been through with cancer and come out of the other side knows, there are always consequences to something like this that are life-changing.

"I have a condition called Low Anterior Resection Syndrome now to deal with, but that’s all right. We live with it, we move forward. The main thing is, one is alive and able to smile and able to work at the bar in the restaurant."

Channel 4

According to the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, low anterior resection syndrome is a collection of symptoms or issues patients have after undergoing a resection or removal of part of or the entire rectum (last 6-8 inches of the large intestine with an anastomosis or 'hook up' of the colon low in the rectum).

These symptoms may include the following:

1) Frequency/urgency of stools

2) Clustering of stools (numerous bowel movements over a few hours)

3) Stool incontinence

4) No stool for a day or two or more and then numerous bowel movements another day and/or increased gas.

"Not all patients experience every symptom. Each patient is unique," they added.

"Some patients may notice that their symptoms resolve over time while others may continue to have symptoms. The purpose of this page is to offer suggestions that may be helpful in coping with these issues/symptoms."