Merlin Griffiths has been given the ‘all clear’ from bowel cancer following his first-year scan. Things you absolutely LOVE to hear.
The beloved First Datesbartender was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer back in 2021 and had undergone multiple surgeries since then, including a first robotic operation to remove a 4.5cm-wide tumour in April last year.
Now, after going along for multiple CT scans following his first full year of treatment, Merlin received the final results from his doctor who confirmed that he has been given the all-clear, sharing the email on his Instagram account.
As the email reads, his doctor informed him that “all looks good” and that “there are no signs of any reoccurrence” at this time.
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Writing in the caption, the 48-year-old added: “Final Year 1 scan results are in, and it’s ALL CLEAR for now. Nice. Thank you #NHS #bowelcancerawareness.”
Merlin told his followers that he was “clear” of the disease last month following his initial scans, having continued to film First Dates and make other TV appearances throughout his 18-month cancer battle, but was only made certain after these final results. What a legend.
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We’re so happy for you, Merlin, and we hope to see you back behind the bar and slinging drinks again soon.
Featured Image — Merlin Griffiths (via Instagram)/Channel 4
TV & Showbiz
Molly-Mae Hague reveals daughter Bambi put someone in a headlock as her ‘aggressive era’ continues
Emily Sergeant
Molly-Mae Hague has revealed details of her daughter Bambi’s ongoing ‘aggressive era’ in a candid vlog this week.
The influencer and former Love Island star has taken to YouTube to share a glimpse into her life as a new mum of two, following the arrival of her and boxer Tommy Fury’s second child Midas back in June, and she revealed that the days of daughter Bambi’s ‘aggressive’ nature seem to be far from over, despite a period of calm.
Fans will know that three-year-old Bambi has had a, shall we call it, biting phase in the past – with quotes from the youngster on the topic going viral on social media, for better or for worse.
But for a while now, it’s seemed to followers that Bambi may have started to grow out of this behaviour as she aged, and they clearly weren’t the only ones who thought this either, as Molly-Mae explained that she was ‘very wrong’ to find out this wasn’t the case.
The 27-year-old informed YouTube viewers of her absence in filming long-form content by explaining that she’s been finding it tricky to balance life postpartum.
And as the weeks went on, Bambi’s behaviour appeared to be part of why.
Explaining to viewers the reason it had been such a long time since the last time she vlogged, Molly said: “That day where I said I was going to vlog, with it just being me and the kids, I went to Pizza Express with Bambi and Midas and some friends, and I actually can’t even disclose what happened.
“All I’m going to say is that I thought Bambi was out of her aggressive era, but I was very wrong and headlocks were put it place – not by me, by her.
Molly concluded the anecdote by saying that the family is ‘really in the depths of it now’ with having a newborn and a toddler, and admitted that she is simply just trying to ‘keep [her] head above water’.
Kendal Calling turns 21 in fine form with a brilliant bunch of headliners – and that was just the start…
Danny Jones
Oh, what a long weekend we had at Kendal Calling 2026, our fourth consecutive visit to the beloved festival proclaimed as ‘the favourite’ by many across the North West, and forever ‘the best’ if you hail from in and around Cumbria.
Now 21 editions into its run, the Penrith party down in Lowther Deer Park has gone from being a cult classic among natives in and around the Lake District a couple of decades ago, to one celebrated all over – and for good reason.
Apart from delivering stellar lineups year in, year out, it’s also one of the most family-friendly festivals you’ll ever come across.
But having said that, they still know how to kick a party into gear when the sun sets…
With The Kooks, The Cribs, Manchester up-and-comers Spangled, Oldham’s very own Tim Burgess, and many more opening up the party on Thursday night, they hit the ground running early doors.
Speaking of the turf, the wider arena was nice and dry this year, with punters only being treated to very short showery intervals, and most overnight.
Having the perfect conditions obviously helps, but we will say that Kendal Calling remains one of the brave few that powers in through regardless of the weather.
Nevertheless, we didn’t have to worry about it for KC2026, and maybe it’s just recency bias, but the entire festival site somehow looked prettier than ever, especially soaked in all that sun.
The dappled rays coming through trees over in the ‘Lost Eden’ definitely made the Woodlands stage as special as we’ve ever seen it – including those magical neon nights – and we even got to chat with Yorkshire lass Ellur ahead of her spellbinding set out in the forest.
Still surprising people more than two decades in
Lots caught us by surprise this year, such as Dutch indie pop group Son Mieux (our new obsession, by the way), as well as Fletchr Fletchr, who we now believe really need to be seen live to truly appreciate every aspect of their huge potential.
And then there was rising Sunderland star Tom A. Smith (again, over in the Woodlands), who joked he was “never there” after filling in on short notice at the same festival he first played when he was 12.
Fair to say he’s come some way since then, and you won’t find many more electric performers from this very confident, talented and still very young man.
But nothing more so than the surprise acoustic set starring the legendary Pete Doherty ahead of The Libertines’ main stage slot later that day, which we had to sprint across the fields to just about catch after hearing about. We had to climb up the side of a window to get the view of those that beat us there.
This year, we also thought we’d go around and ask those who know it best just what makes it so special, and more importantly, what keeps them coming back. Here’s what they had to say:
“I’ve been five times over 11 years. I’m Cumbrian-born but based in Manchester, so there’s always the pull to travel back home for it, and I’d definitely come more if I could. First memory that pops into mind is seeing The Vaccines when they were just getting big, and now over a decade on I got to see them on the main stage all these years and albums later – really full circle.
“One of the best parts about it is just how much there is on; back when I first started coming, they still were spotlighting local bands like Colt 45, but they just so happened to be on the same bill as Snoop Dog – and now I’ve seen everyone from Tom Jones and the Sugarhill Gang to The Darkness and now Biffy.
“Despite the festival growing in size and in terms of the acts that flock to it now, it still feels like one that looks after smaller names; it’s still got that wholesome, all-ages feel, and can be enjoyed for lots more than the music. I’ve definitely grown a new appreciation for everything it has to offer as I’ve gotten older.”
Nick, 32, from Dearham
The LathumsBiffy ClyroRed Rum ClubDeaf Havana, and SO many more…Credit: Audio North
We also asked another seasoned veteran of the annual summer fest how they’d sum it up in as few words as possible, to which they responded: “Nature, variety and (at times) questionable weather.”
Once again, we’ve definitely had wetter ones in the past – it is the North of England after all – but the music gods were smiling down on us all weekend long, and that extra dose of vitamin D definitely helped keep us going.
More personal highlights include closing headliners Wolf Alice, as well as Circa Waves and Groove Armada on the final night, as we somehow managed to catch a bit of all three, not to mention Deaf Havana, who drew their loyal crowd of passionate fans and gave us one of the best sets of the whole weekend.
And then, of course, there was ‘Biffy… F***ing… Clyroooo’. The Manc arm of the Audio North team were lucky enough to catch the Scottish gods at their huge headline gig at Co-op Live, but BOY did jumping around in a sea of people from all over as confetti, streamers, fireworks, and literal fire hit even harder.
With Kendal, Tramlines, Parklife, Beat-Herder, and Neighbourhood Weekender all under our belt already this year, we feel truly blessed to be in what is undoubtedly one of the best periods for live music festivals we’ve known; you can check out some of our other reviews down below.
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Other than that, all we have left to say is thank you to Hanglands and the KC crew as always for having us along, and we’ll catch you in the fields the same time next year. Over and out.
Danny Jones -
8th June 2023 
