TV & Showbiz

First Dates star Merlin Griffiths updates fans from hospital amid cancer treatment

Get well soon Merlin.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 24th January 2023

Merlin Griffiths, the much-loved bartender from hit series First Dates, has shared an update from his hospital bed.

The 47-year-old has been receiving treatment for Stage 3 bowel cancer since his diagnosis in September 2021.

And the Channel 4 star now shared a very honest update on his health, with a selfie in a hospital gown.

Merlin wrote that a previous surgery, which left him with a stoma bag, has been reversed – and now he’s medically required to learn how to fart again.

He said on Twitter: “Gosh, it’s very odd knowing all my insides are actually inside me again after 9 months of a #stoma. Next step, farting. Then food. #NHS #Cancer #Surgery.”

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Merlin on First Dates. Credit: Instagram

He later added: “My plumbing works then. Cor blimey. This will take some training and getting used to.

“Thank goodness for Kegels! Essential!!Pull up nappy deployed for safety.Need a biscuit.”

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In a more detailed message on Instagram, Merlin said: “Ouch. Time for a nap. Surgery done, tomorrow is a new day. Things start happening once I fart properly! I hope it’s soon because I’m very hungry….

“Feels weird looking down and not seeing a #Stoma . My hand keeps feeling for my bag to see how full it is, and coming up empty!! My thanks to our amazing @nhsengland for their care.”

Merlin also used his platform and his Instagram following of 124k people to promote a business called A Bear Named Buttony, which creates stuffed toys with stomas and storybooks to support young people.

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He’s received hundreds of messages of support from fellow bowel cancer patients and other members of the public too.

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Adele Roberts, who also has bowel cancer, wrote: “Fabulous to hear you’re on the mend Merlin!”

Chef Marcus Bean posted: “Wishing you a speedy recovery, keep pushing mate, your doing amazing! Cant wait to see you on our screens behind the bar doing an amazing job as always x”

And TV personality Saira Khan said: “Get well soon. Sending you lots of love.”

Get well soon, Merlin!

Featured image: Instagram, @merlinfdc4

TV & Showbiz

Paddy McGuinness admits he thinks Bolton is ‘still in Lancashire’ not Greater Manchester

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Paddy McGuinness has admitted that he believes “Bolton still falls under Lancashire” and not Greater Manchester.

The famous comedian and TV presenter – who was born and raised in Farnworth in 1973, back when it genuinely was still categorised as Lancashire – made the somewhat controversial declaration to his millions of followers on Instagram this week as he shared some pictures of himself that are currently featuring as part of a photography exhibition.

McGuinness is one of dozens of local famous faces forming part of the ‘Greater Mancunians’ project by The Manchester College.

150 students have participated in the landmark photography project – which is currently on display down at Manchester Central Library’s Main Exhibition Hall – and it features images of some of Manchester’s most famous and influential people shot at numerous locations across the city.

Noel Gallagher, Johnny Marr, Ricky Hatton, Andy Burnham, Angela Rayner, Maxine Peake, Jonathan Warburton, and Professor Erinma Bell MBE are among the 100 contributors featured in the project, alongside McGuinness.

The 50-year-old, who is most well-known for his acting and presenting roles in Phoenix Nights, Max and Paddy’s Road To Nowhere, Take Me Out, and Top Gear, says it was “a real honour” to be featured in the exhibition.

McGuinness wrote on Instagram: “It was a real honour to take part in the Greater Mancunians project with the students at The Manchester College. The exhibition is full of people from music, comedy, politics, poetry, television, medicine and beyond.”

He then said it’s “well worth popping in if you’re in town”, before dropping the final Bolton-related bombshell: “PS, I’m still saying Bolton falls under Lancashire.”

In case you’re unfamiliar with the borough’s history, Bolton was considered to be a part of Lancashire until Greater Manchester was formally established all the way back on 1 April 1974 – but still to this day, the town is located within the historic county boundaries of Lancashire.

Paddy McGuinness admits he thinks Bolton is ‘still in Lancashire’, not Greater Manchester (Credit: Wikimedia Commons)

After making the bold claim about Bolton’s geographical location, McGuinness has been met with praise and has received hundreds of comments from other Bolton and wider Greater Manchester residents agreeing with him and sharing their similar opinions under the post.

“I think they should redefine Lancashire back to its old borders, it would bring unity to the area and create a northern powerhouse,” one person commented.

Another fan wrote: “Bolton will always be in Lancashire for me”, while a third commented: “ALWAYS Lancashire. Can’t move land boundaries, they’re not pieces of paper,” a fourth shared a similar sentiment: “They can tell us we’re Greater Manchester, but I know Im a Lancashire lass,” and a fifth added: “Lancashire all the way lad.”

“BOLTON WILL ALWAYS BE LANCASHIRE,” another clearly strong-viewed comment reads.

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It’s always very ‘Stockport is Cheshire‘, isn’t it?

What’s your take then? Do you think Bolton is still in Lancashire, or is it part of Greater Manchester? What about the rest of the boroughs?

We know full well we may have opened a can of worms with this one but that’s all part of the fun.

Featured Images – BBC

TV & Showbiz

Zoe Ball announces death of her ‘dear mama’ just weeks after cancer diagnosis

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball with her beloved mum Julia Peckham. Credit: Instagram @thezoeball

Zoe Ball has said that she is ‘bereft’ after the death of her mum Julia Peckham, just weeks after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

The BBC Radio 2 breakfast show host shared the sad news this morning, writing ‘sleep tight dear Mama’.

Zoe had shared just a matter of weeks ago that her beloved mother had been diagnosed with cancer, later moving to hospice care.

And now tragically, only six weeks after her diagnosis and an ‘incredibly brave’ battle with the disease’, Julia has passed away.

Zoe has been taking some time off air to spend time with family.

Today, sharing a photo of her mum in her younger years, Zoe Ball wrote: “Sleep tight dear Mama.

“Thank you for teaching us how to love unconditionally, to always show courage and empathy, and how, even in the darkest of days, laughter is the greatest of gifts.

BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball has announced the death of her mum Julia Peckham. Credit: Instagram @thezoeball
BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball has announced the death of her mum Julia Peckham. Credit: Instagram @thezoeball
Zoe Ball shared this photo of her mum Julia Peckham when she was diagnosed with cancer. Credit: Instagram @thezoeball
Zoe Ball shared this photo of her mum Julia Peckham when she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Credit: Instagram @thezoeball

“We are bereft without you but will hold so tight to each other. your grace & your smile that lit up every room you were in, will light the stars to guide us.”

She had previously written upon her mum’s diagnosis: “Heartbreakingly our beautiful Mama Julia has been diagnosed with Cancer. As many of you know from experience, these are extremely tough times. Mum is being incredibly brave.

“My brother Jamie & I are completely in awe of the brilliant Doctors, Nurses & support teams looking after Mum. Thank you. Gratitude to our families & our extended family & friends at home & at work for their support at this time.

“Sending out love to people reading this who are battling cancer, or awaiting diagnosis & also to the folk looking after their dear ones who are poorly.”

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Featured image: Instagram @zoetheball

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