Melanie Sykes has disclosed that she is enduring “intense pain” after being diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder, which has resulted in her losing a significant amount of hair.
The 55-year-old television personality shared a video on Instagram this past Sunday, in which she opened up about dealing with widespread inflammation throughout her body.
Dressed warmly in a sweater, jacket, scarf, and hat, Melanie took to social media to discuss how she has embraced a spiritual lifestyle. She urged followers to consider meditation as she strives to stay optimistic.
She explained, “I’m not well, as many of you know. I’ve been unwell throughout the year due to an autoimmune condition that is causing me to lose hair and experience severe inflammation. I am actively working on healing.”
“Over the past three months, I embarked on a meditation teacher training course. Unfortunately, my health prevented me from completing the last two days of it. Although I don’t necessarily aim to teach, it has been a transformative journey.”
Melanie Sykes, 55, has revealed she is in ‘so much pain’ in an Instagram clip shared on Sunday, after she was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition, which has left her ‘two-thirds bald’
The TV star revealed that she is also living with excessive inflammation all over her body
“Lately, I’ve been embracing a deeply spiritual way of living,” she added.
Alongside the clip, she penned: ‘It’s been a while ❤️I have ignited my YouTube channel again after a long period of learning, meditating and healing (this is ongoing.) Remember I love you always.’
She gave an insight into her hair loss in April and showed her side profile, where she pointed out a bald spot on her head.
She said the photo was taken whilst she was 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,’ the former TV presenter revealed.
Mel shared her experiences with the UK’s health care system, telling her subscribers: ‘I am uploading a new video on YouTube because I wanted to share what I have learned, observed and endured recently.’
She went on to say: ‘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.’
Wearing a jumper, jacket, scarf and hat, Melanie took to her social media to explain that she has been ‘living a spiritual existence’ and encouraged people to start meditating
She gave an insight into her hair loss in April and showed her side profile, where she pointed out the bald spot on her head
The mother-of-two also added how she has been dealing with stress and insomnia (pictured in 2022)
Mel went into further detail on her health struggles as she showed her hair loss by parting sections of her hair.
‘I’m experiencing alopecia in quite a significant way. I’ve lost inches off my hairline at the back and probably got half my hair at the moment,’ she noted.
The mother-of-two also added how she had been dealing with stress and insomnia.
Thankfully, she is having treatment and has been to see a scalp specialist, who has confirmed her hair will grow back.
Born in Lancashire, Mel came to fame in a 1996 TV advert that showed her serving Boddingtons Bitter from an ice cream van.
She then went on to enjoy a successful career in television from the Big Breakfast in 1997 to fronting her own daytime show alongside the late Des O’Connor – Today with Des and Mel in 2002.
Then in 2014 she headed to the jungle to star in ITV’s I’m A Celebrity, finishing in third place behind X Factor singer Jake Quickenden.
