Melanie Sykes shows hair loss on either side of head in alopecia battle update
Melanie Sykes opened up about battling alopecia in April 2025.
Melanie Sykes has shown fans the hair loss on either side of her head as her battle with alopecia continues.
Last year, the 55-year-old TV presenter said she was "in so much pain" and had been unwell for most of 2025, while she detailed being "two-thirds bald" because of the autoimmune condition.
On Friday (26.06.26), Melanie gave her Instagram followers an update on how alopecia has impacted her.
The star posted a video of herself lying on her back as she turned her head from side to side, with the caption: "#Liberty."
In May, Melanie revealed she had ditched head scarves for wigs as she is keen to "get some hair" after her brunette locks had been falling out "really quickly".
On Instagram, the I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! 2014 campmate shared a video of herself trying on some brunette wigs, with the caption: "I cannot believe it's been two weeks since I sat in this chair and tried out some wigs at @amberjeanshop.
"I can't tell you how excited I am to receive it. My hair has been coming out really quickly in the last few weeks and even at this stage ( I've been losing hair for about a year and half) it can feel alarming.
"As much as I love using my head scarves, I cannot wait to get some hair. The team are welcoming and it's such a fun and safe space to be vulnerable. (sic)"
Melanie said that "getting a wig has nothing to do with others peoples perceptions of me, or how it looks to them" and is "purely for me, my life and having options", after a fan noted that "no one would know it was a a wig which is I guess the point".
In March, the Let's Do Lunch... alum told how she was "learning to live" with alopecia.
Melanie posted a selfie of herself on Instagram, with the caption: "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.
"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. Practice Gratitude (sic)."
Last December, Melanie opened up about her struggles with alopecia and "crazy inflammation all over" her body.
In a video shared on Instagram, she said: "I am not well, as you know. I've been ill all 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.
"In the last three months, I’ve done a meditation teacher training course. I was too ill to finish it, the last two days of it, I couldn’t do, it's a meditation teacher training, I don't necessarily want to teach, but I can do...
"Mostly I've been living a very, very very spiritual existence."
Melanie opened up about her hair loss and heart condition, which causes palpitations, in April 2025.
She took to Instagram and posted a photo of herself, pointing out a bald spot on the side of her head, with the caption: "This is a pic of me I took last week whilst in London investigating some health issues.
"I am experiencing alopecia and heart issues due to all that has happened over the last few months. Ptsd, shock, mistreatment and malpractice. ( go to YouTube for my more recent videos)
"I am uploading a new video on youtube because I wanted to share what I have learned, observed and endured recently.
"Not because of the trend of sharing all diagnosis but to share the experiences I have encountered in the British medical system in the state and private sector for the last few weeks and beyond, and it's crashing flaws ...
"This country must do better, and get better. Our health services are utterly shocking bar a few and rare decent humans who listen without prejudice and judgement. It is a lottery who you will encounter and how that experience can play out.
"Despite these health developments, I myself am full of love, hope and happiness.
"My two weeks in London were magical, and being with my sons, my pooch and my tiny circle of close friends who have been there for in spades has been so fun.
"I love them and am grateful to them always, and for the new friends, generous souls and new contacts I made over that two weeks. You know who you are xxxx."
