News
First Dates’ Merlin Griffiths opens up about ‘life-changing consequences’ after cancer diagnosis
‘We live with it, we move forward’
First Dates’ bartender Merlin Griffiths has opened up about the ‘life-changing consequences’ he must live with after battling cancer.
He first came to UK TV screens as the friendly barman who offers a friendly smile and words of encouragement to nervous daters while pouring them their drink of choice. The nation quickly came to love him, but aside from his onscreen life, Merlin is also a cancer survivor.
The 48-year-old was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer back in 2021 and has been sharing candid moments with his followers over his social media accounts ever since.
He underwent surgery to remove the tumour as well as a gruelling course of chemotherapy and was given the all-clear ‘for now’ just a few months ago.
Merlin, a dad-of-one, was given the wonderful news that his surgery and treatment had been ‘successful’ as doctors told him ‘there are no signs of any reoccurrence’.
The star has been keeping it very real and honest with his fans in a bid to expel the stigma surrounding cancer and its effects, updating his followers along his journey with cancer.
In doing so, he has managed to help raise awareness and get past any embarrassment around talking about bowel cancer – with the hope to help others to get checked by doctors sooner or who may be living with the disease.
The Gloucestershire-born star has shared how he previously hesitated to see a doctor with his own symptoms before he was given the diagnosis.
In an interview in October last year, the First Dates barman said: “There is still a certain amount of classic British reserve in the way that we deal with a lot of health issues. 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.”
Merlin has been readjusting to life after his cancer journey and has returned to TV screens in a new series of First Dates which kicked off on January 2nd.
Ahead of the show’s comeback, he appeared on BBC Breakfast alongside new waitress Aoife Smyth as they discussed what fans can expect, as well as what life is like for him now as he deals with the ‘consequences’ of having had bowel cancer.
Although the star told hosts he is ‘all good’ he said that he must now learn to deal with the ‘fallout’ of his health, which also comes with another diagnosis.
Merlin explained: “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.”
Asked whether beating bowel cancer had given him a new appreciation for life, Griffiths replied: “I suppose it does – it does and it doesn’t. It’s an experience one parks and you draw upon it when you need it.”
According to the NHS Health Research Authority website, Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS) ‘refers to a collection of symptoms (faecal incontinence, urgency and frequency) that may affect up to 50% of patients undergoing rectal cancer surgery’ and ‘can have a significant adverse effect on quality of life’.
The mixologist star, who has appeared on First Dates since the show launched in 2013, has been praised by fans for remaining positive throughout his cancer journey.
News
Oasis announce huge reunion tour as Liam and Noel Gallagher ‘make peace’
The news we’ve all been waiting for!
After years of will-they-won’t-they speculation, Oasis are officially BACK together for a reunion tour.
The Gallagher brothers have put aside their differences in the name of music, making thousands of fans extremely happy in the process.
The band teased the news on their socials over the weekend, posting a video on Sunday morning with today’s date (Tuesday, August 27th) and the time 8am.
And now shows have been announced for multiple dates in the UK and Ireland, with tickets going live this Saturday, August 31st.
The legendary Mancunian rockers will take to the stage next summer, with gigs in Cardiff, London, Edinburgh, Dublin and, of course, Manchester.
15 years after splitting, the band confirmed they would be back for 14 shows, saying: “The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised”.
The gigs will be Oasis’s ‘only shows in Europe next year’, with tickets on sale this Saturday at 8am in Ireland and 9am in the UK.
The Oasis 2025 tour dates in full:
July
4th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium
5th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium
11th – Manchester, Heaton Park
12th – Manchester, Heaton Park
19th – Manchester, Heaton Park
20th – Manchester, Heaton Park
25th – London, Wembley Stadium
26th – London, Wembley Stadium
August
2nd – London, Wembley Stadium
3rd – London, Wembley Stadium
8th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
9th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
16th – Dublin, Croke Park
17th – Dublin, Croke Park
You can grab your tickets HERE.
News
Stagecoach hiring over 100 new bus drivers for Bee Network with £31k salaries
Fancy a career change?
Stagecoach Manchester is hiring over 100 new bus drivers to work from its Oldham depot, following the second phase of the Bee Network launch in March.
You can apply for a range of roles, from positions with no experience required to fully qualified bus drivers.
Successful applicants will receive full training as part of the job, and trainees will get paid to train. Then after only 12 months’ service at Stagecoach, drivers can expect to earn up to £16 per hour, which equates to £31.6K per year, before overtime.
As well as that, drivers that already hold a PCV licence may be eligible to receive a £1,200 joining bonus.
Stagecoach
There’s also a host of other benefits available to all Stagecoach employees, like 28 days paid holiday, generous pension and free Stagecoach bus travel for successful applicants and a companion.
Rob Jones, Managing Director at Stagecoach Manchester said: “Expanding our offering in Oldham means we’ll be investing more in the economy and supporting our local community, as well as strengthening our workforce.
“Whether you’re looking for a career change or you’re a fully qualified, experienced bus driver, there’s a role for everyone here in Oldham.
“We’re looking for personable and dedicated drivers who are ready to help us build on the success of the Bee Network and connect the people of Oldham and Greater Manchester with the places and people that are important to them.”
Stagecoach
Phil Cornwall, bus driver at Stagecoach Manchester, said: “I’ve been a driver at Stagecoach for 25 years and I couldn’t recommend it more.
“From the perks to the people to the passengers, it really is a great place to work.”
To apply, head to the Stagecoach website HERE.
Two men have now been charged with murder, following the discovery of a human torso in Kersal Dale.
As well as that, more suspected human remains were also discovered this morning, Monday April 29th, in an alleyway close to the railway lines off Worsley Road, Eccles.
This follows earlier discoveries of human remains over the past three weeks, at Kersal Dale, Blackleach Reservoir and Colliery Wood, all in Salford.
Greater Manchester Police
Michal Jaroslaw Polchowski (25/04/1956) and Marcin Majerkiewicz (10/04/1982) both of Worsley Road, Eccles, have been charged with murder.
They are set to appear at Tameside Magistrates Court this afternoon.
While formal identification is still ongoing, the remains found at Kersal Dale are believed to be of a local man in his 60s. The remains found at the other three locations are still to be tested, but police are confident they belong to the same victim.
ACC Sarah Jackson said: “We have had large numbers of officers, staff and specialists working diligently on this investigation over the last three weeks. It has been very much a large, collective effort, with the victim and family at the heart of it from the outset.
“We have specially trained officers deployed to support the family as they come to terms with this tragic news. They are aware of this morning’s further discovery and will continue to be kept up to date with how we are progressing.
“Despite the charges brought today, our work is far from over.
“The scenes we already have established in Bury and Salford will remain in place for much of this week whilst our searches and enquiries continue. Local officers will continue to patrol the impacted areas to provide reassurance.
“We will continue following every line of enquiry to recover and reunite the victim with his family, bringing a dignified end to this terrible scenario.
“I’d like to thank the communities of Salford and beyond for their cooperation throughout this investigation. I know this incident has come as a shock, and the support we’ve had from those in the area is very much appreciated.”
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