A star of comedy series Bridget & Eamon has told how multiple cancer diagnoses gave him the courage to look for love on First Dates Ireland.
Edwin Sammon, from Co Offaly, said it was nerve-wracking going on the RTE romance show but admitted life’s too short to wait for a partner to find you.
In tonight’s episode, the 42-year- old comic flies in from the Edinburgh Festival to meet physical therapist Emer, 44, from Athlone, Co Meath.
Edwin, who starred as Fr Gabriel on Bridget & Eamon, said: “I got a couple of cancers, it put everything on pause for a while.
“I had bowel cancer, I was lucky in the sense it was very treatable and it hadn’t spread too much to my liver.
“I’ve been cancer-free now for seven years.”
The comic added he had been in an “intense” relationship and it was a scary time to be alone with cancer.
He said: “I feel seven years on, life’s too short, it makes you appreciate things more, when I was asked to do the show again I felt happy in myself, it’s the perfect time to find a partner.”
Edwin added he was too nervous to go on First Dates Ireland when he was previously asked.
He said: “I’m not a big dater, I’m used to relationships, being on the dating scene is nerve-wracking, dating in front of the nation is more nerve wrecking.”
Edwin added he was glad Emer didn’t recognise him from the telly.
He said: “There’s a difference between performing on stage and performing on a date.”
The star is taking his show Edwin Sammon Vs Cancer to Edinburgh next year before touring Edwin Sammon Of Knowledge nationwide.
He quipped: “I finally caved to the fish puns.”
- First Dates Ireland is on RTE Two tonight at 9.30pm
