Beloved television personality Melanie Sykes has delivered a raw and emotional update to her fans, disclosing the severe impact a long-term autoimmune condition is having on her health and appearance.
A Heartfelt Update on Instagram
In a candid video posted to her Instagram, which she captioned "It's been a while", the 55-year-old star appeared wearing sunglasses, a Manchester United jacket, a hat and a scarf. Sykes confessed she is now "two-thirds bald" due to the illness and is living in "so much pain".
The presenter, who rose to fame in the 1990s on The Big Breakfast and later co-hosted Today With Des and Mel, explained she has been "ill all year" with an autoimmune disease. This type of condition occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy tissues.
Struggling with Pain and Disruption
Sykes described suffering from "crazy inflammation all over everything", specifically mentioning that her lips and eyes have been severely affected. Despite the physical and emotional toll, she has maintained her characteristic spirit, noting that she laughs every time she mentions her baldness. "Thank God I can laugh. Always laugh," she told her 300,000 followers.
Her health struggles have been so debilitating that they interrupted her attempts to focus on wellness. She revealed she had recently undertaken a meditation teacher training course but was "too ill to finish it", having to drop out during the final two days.
A Message of Spirituality and Resilience
Addressing her supporters directly, Sykes expressed her love and care for them. She stated that she has been living a "very, very spiritual existence" and urged her fans to consider meditation, which she believes is "the key to joy".
Melanie Sykes's career spans decades, including hosting shows like Celebrities Under Pressure and Let's Do Lunch with Gino & Mel, as well as being a regular panellist on Loose Women. She also finished in third place on the 2014 series of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!
Autoimmune diseases are a significant health concern, now thought to affect around one in ten people in the population. There are more than 80 known types, including rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis, which disproportionately impact women. Sykes's openness sheds light on the often invisible and painful reality of living with such a chronic condition.
