Melanie Sykes has shared a frank update with her followers, displaying the significant hair loss she has experienced due to alopecia.
The 55-year-old posted a video on Instagram on Friday, turning her head to show the extent of thinning on both sides.
The former Des and Mel star captioned the post simply “#Liberty”.
Ms Sykes has previously disclosed that approximately two-thirds of her hair has now gone as a result of her autoimmune condition.
Melanie Sykes has documented her alopecia journey with fans on social media
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Having lost hair rapidly over the past eighteen months, she has begun wearing wigs after previously relying on headscarves to cover the affected areas.
Beyond alopecia, the presenter has been contending with multiple health challenges in recent years.
She suffers from a heart condition that triggers palpitations, alongside persistent inflammation affecting her entire body.
In December 2025, Ms Sykes told her followers: “I’ve got an autoimmune condition, I am losing my hair.
The TV star has begun wearing wigs after experiencing rapid hair loss over the past 18 months
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“I keep having crazy inflammation all over and I am working on healing.”
She revealed that much of last year was spent unwell, describing herself as being “in so much pain”.
The star also attempted a meditation teacher training course but was forced to miss the final two days due to illness.
During a previous update, Ms Sykes expressed her excitement about transitioning to wigs after visiting a specialist shop.
“I cannot believe it’s been two weeks since I sat in this chair and tried out some wigs,” she wrote, adding: “I can’t tell you how excited I am to receive it.”
She acknowledged that even after eighteen months of hair loss, the experience remains unsettling: “My hair has been coming out really quickly in the last few weeks and even at this stage it can feel alarming.”
Despite the difficulties, Ms Sykes has maintained a sense of humour about her situation.
“Every time I say I’m bald, I laugh, I don’t know why. Thank god I can laugh,” she said.
Ms Sykes rose to prominence alongside Les Dennis on the ITV programme Des and Mel, and later co-hosted Let’s Do Lunch with Gino and Mel from 2011 to 2014.
She stepped back from mainstream television in 2021 but has continued to engage with her audience through social media, regularly sharing updates about her wellbeing.
The television personality has continued to share updates on her health journey with followers
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Her openness about living with alopecia has drawn praise from supporters, who have commended her bravery and honesty in discussing the condition publicly.
The presenter has described her current lifestyle as “a very, very, very spiritual existence” as she focuses on her recovery.