First Dates star Merlin Griffiths has given a sneak peek of what to expect from the new series.
On August 6, the Channel 4 dating show will be back on our screens with another set of singletons on the lookout for their perfect match. Also returning to his post is barman Merlin, who expects the series to be “saucier” than ever.
Merlin is predicting this due to the major change Channel 4 has put in place, moving the show from 9pm to 10pm. Merlin exclusively said: “It’s moved to 10pm, you know…
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“If they’ve done that it must be saucy, I don’t know what they get up to when they put this together as I only ever see half of the date because we’re working in the restaurant. So, I’m excited to watch this, but going to 10pm, that’s way after the watershed. It must be saucy!”
Merlin has also given a new update on his health after he has been given the all-clear for two years after his battle with bowel cancer. The TV star, 49, also revealed he is now suffering from another health condition.
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.
“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 has partnered with SodaStream to create a tantalising summer drinks menu. The sparkling water brand has created three new fruit flavours to add to its Classic range – orange mango, cloudy lemonade, and passionfruit.
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 added: “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.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk