I hid my cancer diagnosis as I found it so hard to talk about, admits First Dates star Merlin Griffiths
FIRST Dates star Merlin Griffiths has opened up about keeping his cancer diagnosis a secret.
The 47-year-old First Dates star is living with bowel cancer and has undergone chemotherapy and two operations.
He was diagnosed in 2021 and earlier this year revealed he'd been given the all clear "for now".
Merlin has revealed why he decided to keep his cancer battle a secret at first, telling The Sun: "It’s a big thing.
"But big things happen in life and sometimes people like to share them and sometimes they like to keep them secret. It’s a bit like winning the lottery, you probably wouldn’t tell anyone then either!
"I think the biggest thing you have to realise is that when you bottle it up, whether symptoms or diagnosis, you might think in your head you’re okay, but people will notice that you’re actually not.
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"I think you’ll find opening up is like taking off a weighted rucksack. You will literally feel a burden unloaded. Even if it is just one or two people you talk to. "
Merlin added: "I was lucky to have my family around me, where support naturally extends from there.
"In hindsight and as time has gone on, I’ve come to realise that there is actually so much support out there and available. Not just medical support either, but emotional support too."
Last month Merlin shared a photo of his latest letter from the hospital after a recent scan.
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It said: "Hi Merlin, Your CT scan has just come through.
"All looks good, there are no signs of any reoccurrence.
"Hope this is reassuring."
Merlin caption his post: "Final Year 1 scan results are in, and it's ALL CLEAR for now.
"Nice. Thank you #NHS #bowelcancerawareness."
Macmillan Cancer Support has released a series of moving portraits as part of its ‘Find The Words’ campaign, which includes a photo of Merlin.
Shot by award-winning photographer Ray Burmiston - who’s worked with the likes of Sir David Attenborough, David Bowie, Samuel L. Jackson and Helena Bonham Carter - the campaign features male celebrities and men affected by cancer to encourage more men to open up about their experiences and reach out for support.
Macmillan is at the end of the phone and to provide support. Call 0808 808 00 00 and ask anything.
