Melanie Sykes has shared a fresh and deeply personal health update, gently urging fans not to “worry about her” as she continues to navigate life with a painful autoimmune condition that has left her two-thirds bald and struggling with widespread inflammation.
The TV personality, 55, took to Instagram on Wednesday to address growing concern following her recent revelation that she has been living in “so much pain” over the past year due to the illness.
Despite the seriousness of her condition, Melanie struck a calm and reflective tone in a lengthy message, insisting she has learned how to care for herself — and is now actively “healing myself.”
“Life is so good,” she said. “I know it because I’m right here, right now. There’s nothing to fear. There is nothing to fear.”
She went on to explain that tuning into faith and trust has helped her find peace during a time that has otherwise been physically and emotionally demanding.
“The more I tune into faith, and believing that all is well — because it is, because I’m experiencing it — I know it will only get better,” she added.
While Melanie has been open about her health struggles, she made it clear she does not want her illness to dominate every conversation.
“It’s not like I’m hiding it,” she explained. “I’d just rather have a conversation about something else. I’ve got this down. I’m healing myself.”
Addressing fans directly, she gently encouraged them to turn their focus inward.
“Worry about yourselves, if anything,” she said. “Attend to your own spiritual garden — your body, your mind, your creative spirit.”
“Don’t worry about me. I’ve got me. I’ve always got me. And over the last two years, I’ve really learned how to take care of myself.”
Earlier this week, Melanie also revealed she is living with excessive inflammation throughout her body — another symptom linked to her autoimmune condition.
In a candid Instagram clip shared on Sunday, she appeared bundled up in a jumper, jacket, scarf and hat as she spoke openly about how illness has reshaped her daily life. She described herself as living a “very spiritual existence” and encouraged others to explore meditation.
“I’m not well, as you know,” she said. “I’ve been ill all year. I’ve got an autoimmune condition. I’m losing my hair. I keep having crazy inflammation all over — and I’m working on healing.”
She also revealed that over the past three months she undertook a meditation teacher training course, though she was too unwell to complete the final days.
“I don’t necessarily want to teach,” she said, “but mostly I’ve been living a very, very spiritual existence.”
Alongside the video, Melanie wrote: “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.”
The update followed a heartbreaking admission last week, when Melanie revealed she had become “two-thirds bald” as a result of the condition, which has caused extreme inflammation and ongoing pain.
She first spoke publicly about her hair loss earlier this year, sharing a side-profile image that revealed a visible bald patch. At the time, she explained the photo was taken while she was in London investigating serious health concerns.
“I am experiencing alopecia and heart issues due to all that has happened over the last few months,” she revealed. “PTSD, shock, mistreatment and malpractice.”
Melanie has also been outspoken about her experiences with the UK healthcare system, describing parts of it as “utterly shocking,” while acknowledging the few compassionate professionals who listened without judgement.
In another video, she showed the extent of her hair loss by parting sections of her hair.
“I’ve lost inches off my hairline at the back,” she explained. “I’ve probably got half my hair at the moment.”
The mother-of-two also shared that she has been battling stress and insomnia during this period.
However, there is some positive news. Melanie confirmed she is undergoing treatment and has seen a scalp specialist who reassured her that her hair is expected to grow back.
Born in Lancashire, Melanie rose to fame in the 1990s following a memorable Boddingtons Bitter advert, before becoming a familiar face on British television — from The Big Breakfast to Today with Des and Mel, alongside the late Des O’Connor.
She later appeared on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in 2014, finishing third.
Despite everything she has endured, Melanie’s latest message was clear: she is still standing — healing, learning, and choosing peace.
