Melanie Sykes Shares Heartbreaking Update on Alopecia Battle
Television presenter Melanie Sykes has provided a poignant update on her ongoing struggle with alopecia, candidly admitting that dealing with hair loss is "not always easy". The 55-year-old star, best known for hosting Today with Des and Mel in the 2000s, first opened up about her condition in April 2025 and later revealed she was left "two thirds bald" just before Christmas.
'Learning to Live' with Hair Loss
In a recent Instagram post, Sykes shared a heartfelt message with her followers, explaining her current situation. She wrote, "Hey strumps, 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."
The radio presenter acknowledged the emotional difficulty of her journey, adding, "It's not always easy to be grateful all of the time but it is the key to happiness and takes daily/moment to moment practice. Practice love." She emphasized that she is taking things day by day while trying to maintain a positive outlook through gratitude practices.
Previous Health Revelations and Painful Struggles
In December, Sykes posted an Instagram video where she appeared wearing a hat and scarf, detailing the severity of her condition. She explained, "I am not well, as you know. I've been ill all year. I've got an auto-immune condition, I'm losing my hair, I keep having crazy inflammation all over everything, and I am working on healing."
She revealed the physical toll, stating, "I'm in so much pain. Honestly, my lips and my eyes are just so bad, but I wanted to say hello. You'll see I'm two-thirds bald really. Every time I say I'm bald, I laugh. I don't know why. Thank God I can laugh. Always laugh."
Sykes also discussed her attempts to cope through spiritual practices, mentioning that she had started a meditation teacher training course but was too ill to complete it. She told her 300,000 followers, "I just wanted to say good morning, I love you, and I want to share my thoughts as always, and my spiritual knowledge, and just get you guys to start meditating because it really is the key to joy."
Career Highlights and Autoimmune Disease Context
Melanie Sykes rose to fame in the late 90s on Channel 4's The Big Breakfast and went on to host several popular shows including:
- Today With Des and Mel
- Celebrities Under Pressure
- Let's Do Lunch with Gino & Mel
She was also a regular guest panellist on Loose Women and finished in third place on the 2014 series of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!
Her experience highlights the broader issue of autoimmune diseases, which are now thought to affect one in 10 people. There are more than 80 known autoimmune conditions including type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis, though their exact causes remain largely unknown.
Through her candid updates, Sykes continues to raise awareness about alopecia and autoimmune conditions while inspiring others with her message of resilience and gratitude amidst personal health challenges.
