Melanie Sykes has unveiled a striking new look, sporting a fully shaven head in a recent photoshoot for eyewear brand Cubitts. The 55-year-old former TV presenter, who was diagnosed with alopecia last year, modelled a new range of sunglasses in her hometown of Manchester, pairing the frames with a crisp white suit. The campaign, shot across several Mancunian locations, marks a bold embrace of her changing appearance.
Alopecia Journey and Public Revelation
Sykes first went public with her alopecia diagnosis in 2024, revealing in a candid Instagram video that she was 'two-thirds bald'. In the clip, she lay on her back and turned her head from side to side to show large patches of hair loss, captioning it '#Liberty.' Earlier this year, she told followers that only the hair on the top of her head remained, describing it as 'my crown is pretty much what's left of my hair now and how healthy it is.'
She acknowledged the challenges of hair loss, saying, '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, but it is the key to happiness and takes daily, moment-to-moment practice. Practice love.'
Health Struggles and Post-Traumatic Growth
Alongside alopecia, Sykes has been open about living with a heart condition and widespread inflammation, which she attributes to prolonged stress and PTSD. Speaking to fans towards the end of last year, she revealed she was experiencing what is known as 'post-traumatic growth' – the positive psychological changes that can follow periods of trauma.
She said, 'Even the most difficult times do pass, they do. You can be suffering from PTSD but still at the same time be experiencing post-traumatic growth. I'm in both camps because you can be both things at once… We can transcend all trauma, we can be changed, and I am living f******g proof of that.'
Career Shift and New Beginnings
Sykes, who rose to fame in the iconic Boddingtons Bitter adverts before fronting shows including The Big Breakfast, left the TV world behind in 2021. She has since said she decided to step back from the industry after working with Gregg Wallace on Celebrity MasterChef in 2021, claiming she made an informal complaint about the disgraced presenter's behaviour at the time.
Her new campaign with Cubitts represents a fresh chapter, showcasing not only the eyewear but also her confidence and resilience. The photos, taken in Manchester, highlight her shaved head as a fashion statement, turning what could be seen as a loss into a powerful aesthetic choice.
