Melanie Sykes shares candid alopecia update
Melanie Sykes has shared a candid new look at her battle with alopecia, revealing the extent of her hair loss after previously saying the autoimmune condition has left her 'two-thirds bald'. The former TV presenter, 55, posted a video to Instagram showing the sides of her head, where large patches of hair have disappeared as she continues to deal with ongoing health problems. Lying on her back, Sykes slowly turned her head from side to side to reveal the areas affected by alopecia, simply captioning the clip: '#Liberty.'
Health struggles and stress link
The update comes more than a year after the broadcaster first revealed she had been diagnosed with alopecia, alongside a heart condition and widespread inflammation, which she has linked to prolonged stress and PTSD. Earlier this year, Sykes told followers that only the hair on the crown of her head remained. 'My crown is pretty much what's left of my hair now and how healthy it is,' she wrote on social media. 'I do get cold however, hence my beanie and various headwear but I'm learning to live with “loss” and counting my blessings instead. It's not always easy to be grateful, but it is the key to happiness and takes daily, moment-to-moment practice. Practice love.'
Post-traumatic growth and recovery
Despite the challenges, Sykes has repeatedly spoken about focusing on her recovery and maintaining a positive outlook. Speaking to fans towards the end of last year, she revealed she was experiencing what is known as 'post-traumatic growth' – the positive psychological changes that can follow periods of trauma. 'Even the most difficult times do pass, they do,' she said. 'You can be suffering from PTSD but still at the same time be experiencing post-traumatic growth. I'm in both camps because you can be both things at once… We can transcend all trauma, we can be changed, and I am living f******g proof of that.'
Progression of hair loss and triggers
Sykes first revealed the extent of her hair loss in 2025, explaining she had lost around half of her hair as well as much of one eyebrow. She later said the condition had progressed further, telling followers she had become 'two-thirds bald' while continuing to battle excessive inflammation throughout her body. At the time, she also opened up about developing heart palpitations, which she believed were triggered by the stress surrounding allegations made against her former television colleague Gino D'Acampo, who has denied wrongdoing. The former radio presenter, who previously revealed her experience with Gregg Wallace led her to quit TV, and has spoken out against the BBC and ITV in the past, presented ITV's Let's Do Lunch with Gino between 2011 and 2014.
Focus on healing and spirituality
'I'm not well, as you know. I've been ill all year,' she said in a video update earlier this year. 'I've got an autoimmune condition, I am losing my hair, I keep having crazy inflammation all over and I am working on healing.' Rather than dwelling on her diagnosis, Sykes said she has turned to meditation and spirituality as part of her recovery, even completing a meditation teacher training course. She has also encouraged fans not to worry about her, insisting she has learned to prioritise her own wellbeing after stepping away from television.
Career and autism diagnosis
Sykes, who rose to fame in the iconic Boddingtons Bitter adverts before fronting shows including The Big Breakfast, Today with Des and Mel and Let's Do Lunch with Gino & Mel, left the entertainment industry after receiving an autism diagnosis in 2021. 'My late diagnosis of autism has changed my life for the better,' she previously said. 'For once, I come first.'
