Melanie Sykes has embraced her fully shaven head in new photos, after being diagnosed with alopecia. The former TV presenter previously revealed she was 'two-thirds bald', sharing a video to Instagram to show the extent of her hair loss due to the condition.
The 55-year-old has now shown off the shaven look for a new sunglasses modelling campaign with Cubitts, pairing the frames with a crisp white suit. The campaign was shot in Sykes' hometown in Manchester, showcasing a new set of sunglasses for the brand, in snaps shot across several Mancunian locations.
Alopecia journey and personal revelations
The broadcaster first revealed she had been diagnosed with alopecia last year, in which she detailed how she was also living with a heart condition and widespread inflammation, which she has linked to prolonged stress and PTSD.
In a June Instagram video, Sykes showed followers the sides of her head where large patches of hair had fallen out. Lying on her back, Sykes turned her head from side to side to reveal the areas affected by alopecia, captioning the clip: '#Liberty.'
Earlier this year, Sykes told followers that she only had hair on the top of her head, saying: 'My crown is pretty much what's left of my hair now and how healthy it is.
'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 career shift
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.'
Sykes, who rose to fame in the iconic Boddingtons Bitter adverts before fronting shows including The Big Breakfast, left the TV world behind in 2021. She has subsequently said she decided to step back from the industry after working with Gregg Wallace on Celebrity MasterChef in 2021, claiming she made an informal complaint about the disgraced presenter's behaviour at the time.
