Merlin Griffiths has set the record straight after it was reported he's earned millions. Earlier this year, the Telegraph revealed that the TV barman had "earned millions" but "couldn't get a mortgage". When asked about his earnings, Merlin denied the previous claims.
Merlin exclusively said: "I definitely don't have millions of pounds. I got sent a thing of the article, and it was actually, it's very different. I'm not sure where the headline for that actually came from, to be perfectly honest.
"And it was the headlines remarkably out of context for the article itself. It was more just me just having a little grumble at the time about the fact that, as a business owner and many other small business owners in the UK will know this, you're still classed as self-employed. "So, therefore, you can get access to regular channels of funding, despite the fact, like in our case, we've been in business almost 15 years.
Paying ourselves, paying tax...
"Can I get a mortgage? No, because I'm self-employed, so I don't have the credit status. And it was my general grumble at credit statuses and what nonsense they are. Yeah, but there we go.
" Merlin has also given a sneak peek of what to expect from the new First Dates series. The show is set to return on Channel 4 on August 6, but with a schedule change. The TV star said: "It's moved to 10pm, you know.
.. If they've done that it must be saucy, I don't know what they get up to when they put this together as I only ever see half of the date because we're working in the restaurant.
So, I'm excited to watch this, but going to 10pm, that's way after the watershed. It must be saucy!" Merlin has partnered with to create a tantalising summer drinks menu. The sparkling water brand has created three new fruit flavours to add to its Classic range - orange mango, cloudy lemonade, and passionfruit.
Using his mixology skills, Merlin has created three summer drinks including these new flavours, consisting of two mocktails and one cocktail, reflecting that 32% of Brits are now limiting their alcohol intake, similar to Merlin himself. Merlin added: "I've done some videos to go with it, so you guys can make these drinks at home. That's the whole point.
They should be easy enough to make at home. Leave it to me while I'm working professionally to spend 25 years preparing ingredients, and then three or four minutes serving a drink. When you're doing it home, you need to be making it quickly, then back in the garden in the sunshine.
".
