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First Dates’ Merlin Griffiths opens up about ‘life-changing consequences’ after cancer diagnosis

‘We live with it, we move forward’

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@merlinfdc4 / Instagram & Channel 4

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.

@merlinfdc4 / Instagram

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. 

@merlinfdc4 / Instagram

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?

@merlinfdc4 / Instagram

“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.

Channel 4

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.”

@firstdates / Instagram / Channel 4

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.

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Stagecoach hiring over 100 new bus drivers for Bee Network with £31k salaries

Fancy a career change?

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Stagecoach

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.

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Two men charged with murder after torso discovered in Salford nature reserve

BREAKING:

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Greater Manchester Police

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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More human remains discovered in Greater Manchester as police identify victim

All the latest updates

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N Chadwick / Geograph

Detectives investigating the discovery of a torso in Kersal Dale have found more human remains around Greater Manchester.

GMP released a statement on the weekend, revealing they had opened four scenes for extensive searches – one of them at a warehouse in Bury, and three in Salford.

Searches took place at Blackleach reservoir, where human remains were found, and a dog walker found a package containing human remains at Colliery Wood.

Officers believe they have now identified the man, who they believe to be a man in his 60s that lived in Salford, and his family have been informed.

Two suspects have already been arrested in connection with the murder probe, with officers saying they are thought to have lived with the victim.

Greater Manchester Police / Facebook


Detective Superintendent Lewis Hughes, Senior Investigating Officer for this investigation, said in a statement at Blackleach reservoir yesterday, Sunday April 28th: “We have continued to make significant progress in our investigation into human remains being found in Kersal earlier this month.

“From day one, our priority has been to identify the man and his family so that we can give them the support and the answers that they need.

“Thanks to meticulous forensic work, we are now confident we have identified the man. Formal identification hasn’t yet taken place, but we believe he is a man in his 60s and lived in Salford.

“Specially-trained family liaison officers have met with his family this afternoon to give them the devastating news, and we will do all that we can to support them at this awful time.

“We believe he is known to the two suspects we have in custody. They have remained in custody for questioning over the weekend, as we work to establish how the victim met this tragic outcome.”

He continued: “We have painstakingly worked to follow up every line of inquiry in this investigation. Over the last couple of days, we have acted on information and had four scenes in place for extensive searches – one of them is at a warehouse in Bury, and three of them are in Salford, including here at Blackleach reservoir.

“Today, we have found some human remains at the reservoir here, and last night a dog walker found a package containing human remains at Colliery Wood. Forensic tests will continue to establish whose remains these are, but we are very confident that this is also the victim in our investigation.

“We have also been searching a house in Winton where we believe the victim and the two suspects lived. We have found evidence that the victim is likely to have died there – most likely in late March.

“While this is significant progress, we know there is still some way to go to complete this investigation. I also recognise details of this case will have been distressing for the people of Salford and beyond – including the officers that are diligently working on this investigation, and most importantly the man’s heartbroken family.

“Local officers will continue to patrol the affected areas, and we will provide updates when we have more information.”

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