First Dates star Merlin Griffiths has given an update on his health after battling with bowel cancer.
The TV barman, 49, has been given the all-clear from bowel cancer for the past two years but has revealed he is now suffering from another condition. Merlin spoke exclusively to the Daily Star as he partnered up with SodaStream.
Speaking openly about his health, the hospitality pro said: “So we’re two years in with no evidence of disease, as they call it, neg, and that’s good. So yeah, I’m currently just learning to slowly get back to things.
READ MORE: First Dates fans fume ‘what the hell’ and all have same complaint minutes into episode
READ MORE: First Dates bloke doesn’t recognise ITV star in ‘most embarrassing moment ever’
“It’s left me with a condition called low anterior resection syndrome. It’s a relatively new condition that’s being acknowledged these days in relation to my particular operation for bowel cancer, and I’m learning to manage it.
“I’ll never quite be the same again, but I’m here. Slowly but surely, we’ll get back to a new normal… I think part of me still processing it all but you just have to keep going.”
Merlin is working with SodaStream to create a summer drinks menu, just in time for the hot weather to finally arrive in the UK, with temperatures reaching 31c this week.
The sparkling water brand has created three new fruit flavours to add to its Classic range – orange mango, cloudy lemonade, and passionfruit – all of which are really refreshing and delicious. Using his mixology skills, Merlin has created three summer drinks including these new flavours, consisting of two mocktails and one cocktail, reflecting that 32% of Brits are now limiting their alcohol intake, similar to Merlin himself.
Merlin commented: “I remember soda streams from when I was a kid growing up, it’s an excellent thing, fresh soda on demand. For me personally, it’s persisted and I’ve even got one on my own bar. They’re absolutely ideal and they do some lovely syrups as well. They’ve got a passion fruit, a real lemonade, cloudy lemonade, and orange and mango.
“But I’ve done some videos to go with it, so you guys can make these drinks at home. That’s the whole point. They should be easy enough to make at home. Leave it to me while I’m working professionally to spend 25 years preparing ingredients, and then three or four minutes serving a drink. When you’re doing it home, you need to be making it quickly, then back in the garden in the sunshine.”
For more of the latest showbiz and TV news from the Daily Star, make sure you sign up for one of our newsletters here.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk