Melanie Sykes has shared a heartbreaking new update on her health, revealing she is now “two-thirds bald” and has been living in constant pain after falling seriously ill.
The TV presenter, 55, spoke candidly in an emotional Instagram video, admitting she has been unwell throughout the year as her body continues to battle a complex autoimmune condition.
“I’ve got an autoimmune condition. I am losing my hair. I keep having crazy inflammation all over,” she said.
“And I am working on healing.”
‘I’ve been in so much pain’
Melanie told followers she has endured months of physical suffering, alongside emotional exhaustion, as her health steadily declined.
She revealed that over the past three months she enrolled in a meditation teacher training course, hoping to help herself heal — but was ultimately too ill to complete it.
“I was too ill to finish it,” she admitted.
“The last two days, I couldn’t do.”
Despite the setback, Mel explained that she has been living what she described as a deeply spiritual life, stepping away from the pace and pressure she once knew.
“Mostly, I’ve been living a very, very, very spiritual existence,” she said quietly.
Alopecia, heart issues — and a turning point
Last April, Melanie revealed she had been diagnosed with alopecia, a condition that causes hair loss, as well as a heart condition — developments she says marked a turning point in her life.
Speaking on her YouTube channel, she reflected on how her health deteriorated rapidly amid intense stress.
“I went into the New Year with so much energy,” she said.
“Then suddenly, everything changed.”
She explained that she slowed her life down after developing heart problems, adding that her stress levels had surged following renewed media attention surrounding allegations involving former colleague Gino D’Acampo — allegations he has firmly denied.
“The stress levels in my life shot up,” she said.
“I left that industry years ago — but it won’t leave me alone.”
‘PTSD from the industry’
Melanie went further, linking her ongoing health struggles to what she described as PTSD caused by her time in television.
“It’s all been triggered — and everybody’s agreed with this — by my PTSD from the industry,” she said.
Mel and Gino previously co-hosted ITV’s Let’s Do Lunch with Gino and Mel from 2011 to 2014.
She has since urged TV bosses to take stronger action against inappropriate behaviour in the workplace, particularly in light of recent controversies across the industry.
ITV investigation and industry fallout
Just days ago, it emerged that an ITV investigation found claims that crew members had felt “belittled” and “humiliated” while working with Gino on various programmes aired between 2010 and 2024.
Former crew members also alleged they felt fearful on set. ITV has since cut ties with the chef, stating it has no plans to work with him again. D’Acampo denies all allegations and has yet to issue a full public statement.
Melanie described her years in television as feeling like a “war zone”, admitting it never truly felt right for her.
Life after fame
The presenter last appeared on TV four years ago on Celebrity MasterChef and as a guest on Loose Women. Today, she lives a quieter life focused on writing, podcasting, and preparing a documentary on autism, following her own diagnosis at the age of 51.
“This week has been truly life-changing,” she previously wrote.
“After my autism diagnosis, finally so many things made sense.”
Two years later, Melanie released an autobiography explaining why she turned her back on fame.
She said she had no interest in “tap-dancing for corporations who couldn’t give two hoots about my wellbeing,” adding that mainstream television no longer appealed to her.
From fame to reflection
Before stepping away from the spotlight, Mel enjoyed huge success — from modelling and her iconic Boddingtons ads to stints on MTV, The Big Breakfast, and I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! where she finished third in 2014.
She also had high-profile relationships, including with Steve Coogan, Max Beesley, Olly Murs, and Bros star Matt Goss. She later married actor Daniel Caltagirone, father of her two sons Roman and Valentino, and roofer Jack Cockings — both marriages ending in divorce.
Despite her turbulent past, Mel says she now has a deeper understanding of herself.
“I now have a deeper understanding of my life and the things I have endured,” she said.
