Melanie Sykes has spent decades in front of the camera, but her most recent chapter is unfolding off‑screen. After revealing an alopecia diagnosis in April 2025, the former Today with Des and Mel host has shaved her head and written a memoir about being diagnosed with autism at 51.

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Born: 1970 ·
Known for: Co-hosting Today with Des and Mel ·
Instagram: @msmelaniesykes ·
Alopecia diagnosis: 2025

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Publicly disclosed alopecia and an autoimmune condition in April 2025 (Daily Mail)
  • Later described herself as “two-thirds bald” (The Independent)
  • Memoir Illuminated covers her autism diagnosis at 51 (Goodreads)
  • Now embraces a shaved‑head look after hair loss progressed (Daily Mirror)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact wording and context of any comment by Gregg Wallace – no verified record found in our sources
  • Whether a romantic relationship with Olly Murs ever existed – no confirmation from either party
  • Current marital status – no recent reliable report
3Timeline signal
  • April 2025 – first public alopecia disclosure (Daily Mail)
  • June 2026 – posted Instagram video showing large bald patches (The Independent)
  • 2026 – shaved head and memoir release (Daily Mirror)
4What’s next
  • Ongoing health updates likely via Instagram (Amazon)
  • Memoir Illuminated continues to be promoted (Amazon)
  • Public role as autism activist may expand (Amazon)

The following table lays out Sykes’ core biographical details at a glance.

Full name Melanie Ann Sykes
Birth year 1970
Occupation Television and radio presenter, author, artist
Known for Co-hosting Today with Des and Mel
Instagram @msmelaniesykes
Alopecia diagnosis 2025

What illness does Melanie Sykes have?

Alopecia diagnosis and treatment

Melanie Sykes publicly said in April 2025 that she was dealing with alopecia and an autoimmune condition (Daily Mail). She linked the health issues to PTSD, shock, mistreatment, and malpractice in her remarks at the time (Yahoo News Canada).

Later updates painted a more specific picture. She said she was “two-thirds bald” in a candid statement (The Independent). In June 2026, she posted an Instagram video showing large bald patches on the sides of her scalp (The Independent).

The upshot

Her condition likely points to alopecia areata, the autoimmune form of hair loss — a fact the Independent’s health explainer notes is an umbrella term for any type of hair loss (The Independent).

How she revealed her shaved head

By 2026, coverage described Sykes as embracing a shaved or fully bald look after her alopecia progressed (Daily Mirror). She has been open about the emotional toll, linking the hair loss to ongoing stress and health battles.

Bottom line: Sykes has alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition, and has gone public with her hair loss and treatment journey since April 2025.

What’s going on with Melanie Sykes?

Recent career updates

Sykes has moved away from traditional TV presenting. She now describes herself as an author and artist, and her Instagram bio highlights her sobriety and mental health advocacy. The memoir Illuminated is presented as her autobiography, covering her childhood in the North West of England, modeling, television career, and personal relationships (Goodreads).

Life after television

Her shift from screen to page is notable. The book’s subtitle, Autism & All the Things I’ve Left Unsaid, signals a deliberate move toward self‑reflection (Amazon). She also identifies as a British TV presenter and autism activist in book descriptions (Goodreads).

Her book ‘Illuminated’

The memoir reveals that Sykes was diagnosed with autism at 51, and also describes an ADHD diagnosis at the same age (Goodreads). These diagnoses came after decades in the public eye, giving her a new lens on her experiences.

Why this matters

For a woman who spent years as a TV personality, Illuminated is a deliberate act of reclaiming her own narrative – one that prioritises neurodivergence and health over celebrity gossip.

Bottom line: Sykes has pivoted from presenting to writing and art, and her memoir is a key part of her post‑TV identity.

What did Gregg Wallace say to Melanie Sykes?

Context of the comment

We found no verified public record of a specific comment by Gregg Wallace about Melanie Sykes in the sources we reviewed. The only harassment‑related coverage we located involved chef Gino D’Acampo, not Wallace (Daily Mirror).

Her response

Because the specifics of any Wallace comment remain unverified, we cannot report on a response. The question appears to stem from social media speculation rather than established journalism.

Bottom line: No credible source confirms a Gregg Wallace comment about Sykes; the claim is unsubstantiated.

Did Olly Murs date Melanie Sykes?

Relationship timeline

There is no credible source confirming a romantic relationship between Melanie Sykes and Olly Murs. The memoir Illuminated discusses her personal relationships, but does not mention a specific link to Murs (Goodreads).

Their public statements

Neither party has publicly commented on a relationship. Given the absence of evidence, the question is best treated as unverified gossip.

Bottom line: No reliable source or public statement supports a dating history between Sykes and Murs.

Does Melanie Sykes have children?

Names and ages of her children

Melanie Sykes has two sons, though their names and ages have not been widely reported in our research. The memoir’s description mentions “family, children” as covered topics (Goodreads).

Her role as a mother

She has spoken about parenting in interviews, but we do not have specific quotes from our sources. Her public profile suggests she balances motherhood with her creative and advocacy work.

Bottom line: Sykes is a mother of two sons, and her memoir touches on family life.

From TV Fame to Reinvention: A Timeline

  • 1970 – Born in England
  • 1990s – Began television career, appearing on shows like The Big Breakfast
  • 2000s – Co‑hosted Today with Des and Mel with Des O’Connor
  • 2025 – Diagnosed with alopecia; public disclosure in April (Daily Mail)
  • 2026 – Shaved her head and published Illuminated (Daily Mirror)

The pattern of Sykes’ life reveals a deliberate shift from public performance to private truth-telling.

Confirmed Facts vs. What’s Unclear

Confirmed: Alopecia diagnosis, two‑thirds bald statement, memoir publication, autism diagnosis at 51.

Unclear: Gregg Wallace comment details, Olly Murs relationship, current marital status.

Quotes

“I’m two-thirds bald.”

Melanie Sykes, as reported by The Independent

Alopecia is an umbrella term meaning any type of hair loss.

The Independent’s health explainer, as cited

For Melanie Sykes, the decision to go public with her health and personal story is clear: she’s trading the glossy TV persona for a raw, honest narrative that resonates with anyone facing a midlife identity shift. The trade‑off is that public speculation about her private life will continue – but her memoir and activism give her the last word on her own terms.

Additional sources

mediagriduk.uk, womanandhome.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Frequently asked questions

How old is Melanie Sykes?

She was born in 1970, making her 55 or 56 as of 2026.

Is Melanie Sykes married?

Her current marital status is not confirmed in reliable sources; she has been previously married.

Who is Melanie Sykes’s husband?

No current husband is publicly documented; details of past marriages are covered in her memoir.

What is Melanie Sykes’s net worth?

No verified figure is available from our sources.

What is Melanie Sykes’s book about?

Illuminated is a memoir covering her childhood, career, relationships, and autism diagnosis at 51 (Goodreads).

Did Melanie Sykes work with Gino D’Acampo?

Yes, she faced public harassment following allegations involving chef Gino D’Acampo, as reported by the Daily Mirror.

What TV shows did Melanie Sykes host?

She co‑hosted Today with Des and Mel and appeared on The Big Breakfast.

How many children does Melanie Sykes have?

She has two sons.

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