Melanie Sykes, 50, shares smooch with gondolier lover, 23

PICTURE EXCLUSIVE: Melanie Sykes, 50, shares a passionate smooch with gondolier lover Riccardo Simionato, 23, following romantic boat ride as she returns to Venice weeks after THAT six-day fling

  • Mel met Riccardo in October after paying him £72 for a half hour’s ride on his gondola in October
  • It’s not known if Mel travelled out before the second UK lockdown came into force to reunite with her gondolier lover
  • After the collapse of her first marriage to actor Daniel Caltagirone, Mel embarked on a whirlwind romance with Jack Cockings, a roofer, who she met on Twitter Aged 28 at the time, he was 16 years her junior
  •  They wed in 2013, but she filed for divorce after just seven months of marriage, later admitting she married ‘the wrong person’
  • She was briefly then linked to singer Olly Murs, 14 years her junior, and German golfer Martin Kaymer, who is 15 years younger, before dating comedian Steve Coogan, 55, for six months last year 
  • Mel has hosted number of TV shows including ITV’s Today With Des and Mel, with the late Des O’Connor, and Channel 4’s The Big Breakfast

She recently returned to Venice after enjoying a six-day fling with a gondolier 27 years her junior in October.

And Melanie Sykes, 50, was spotted in another passionate clinch with her toy boy lover Riccardo Simionato, 23, on Wednesday after he took her for a romantic ride on his gondola through the canals of the Italian city.

The TV star was helped out of the vessel by handsome boatman Riccardo before they wrapped their arms around each other and shared a smooch beside the water.


Wow! Melanie Sykes, 50, was spotted in another passionate clinch with her toy boy lover Riccardo Simionato, 23, on Wednesday after he took her for a romantic ride on his gondola through the canals of the Italian city

Mel appeared to be making the most of the Venetian sights as she was escorted along the canal by the gondolier, while she was also joined by male companion inside the boat.

The radio presenter looked chic in a pale pink jumper which she styled with a scarf and a pair of white jeans, while she shielded her eyes from the sun with a pair of circular shades. 

Meanwhile, in a nod to the traditional nautical-themed gondolier dress code, Riccardo opted for a blue and white jumper with a pair of black jeans.

What a sight! Mel appeared to be making the most of the Venetian sights as she was escorted along the canal by the gondolier, while she was also joined by male companion inside the boat


Love’s young dream! Mel and her lover couldn’t keep their hands off one another once back on dry land



Romantic: Mel appeared to be making the most of the Venetian sights as she was escorted along the canal by the gondolier, while she was also joined by male companion inside the boat


Helping hand: The TV star was helped out of the vessel by handsome boatman Riccardo before they wrapped their arms around each other and shared a smooch beside the water

Sailing away: Riccardo brushed his dark locks off his face while navigating the waters


Making memories! Mel ensured she documented the moment as she took a snap of Riccardo steering his gondola

The pretty brunette was first linked to the handsome chap in October. 

Little surprise then that Mel, who found fame in the 1990s as the face of Boddingtons bitter, told her online followers she was feeling ‘just a bit giddy’.

Mel and Riccardo, who still lives with his parents, went on to enjoy a six-day fling in the Floating City. 


Instagram-worthy! Mel took a few snaps of Riccardo while reclining back on the gondola

Lunch date! Following a morning on the water Mel and Riccardo stopped off for coffee

Playful: The two lovers appeared to be having a lovely time together

Twice-divorced Mel, who has sons aged 18 and 16, looks much younger than her age. As the gallant gondolier, who declined to discuss their dalliance, himself noted: ‘Beauty is relative.’

The Manchester-born star had been in Venice on a mini-break with a female friend and first posted a picture of herself being punted along a canal by obliging Riccardo the week before the romance was revealed.

The pictured embrace came less than 48 hours later, on Monday, and the next day she was seen enjoying an alfresco breakfast in the gondolier’s company in the intimate Campo San Toma square. 


What a day for it! Mel slipped on her shades as she ensured her eyes stayed protected from the rays

Stunning views: The gondolier appeared slightly preoccupied by a phone call

He remained with Mel until that Thursday, the last day of her holiday, when they were pictured arm-in-arm under an umbrella.

Riccardo wheeled Mel’s suitcase on to a water taxi that took them both to the city’s Marco Polo airport, where he waved her off as she made her way to passport control.

Asked if he prefers English women, Riccardo replied: ‘Every person is different, nationality doesn’t matter. True, no?’

But he clammed up when asked if he planned to see Mel again. For Mel’s part, she posted a tantalising picture on social media of the famous Rialto bridge with the caption: ‘Ciao for now.’

Loving touch: Mel put on a tactile display with Riccardo after their boat outing

Relaxing: It appeared to be a gorgeous day for it in the sun-soaked city


Easy does it! Mel’s two male companions helped her off the gondola following their ride

Safety first! After stepping off the boat she put her face mask back on

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