Melanie Sykes showcased her incredible figure as she returned to Venice, where she met her Italian toyboy lover Riccardo Simionato, 23, last year.
The television personality has jetted to the picturesque Italian city for her 51st birthday celebrations, after revealing she has decided to step back from television after a 30-year career.
Melanie certainly turned a few heads at the Lido in Venice on Thursday in a white tie-string bikini which accentuated her ample cleavage and washboard abs.
Sizzling display: Melanie Sykes showcased her incredible figure at the Lido in Venice on Thursday, after jetting to the Italian city for her 51st birthday celebrations
The former I’m A Celebrity star flaunted her surgically-enhanced cleavage in the tiny halterneck triangle bikini while the tie-string bottoms hugged her peachy derriere and long legs.
Shielding her eyes from the sun with black aviators, the TV presenter wore her hair down and opted for a make-up free look for her sunbathing session.
Melanie, who was joined by a female pal, was pictured slathering herself in sun cream as she prepared to whittle away the afternoon reading a book.
City of love: Melanie returned to Venice, 10 months after she met gondolier toyboy Riccardo Simionato, 23, (pictured)
Cheeky: Melanie flaunted her surgically-enhanced cleavage in the tiny halterneck triangle bikini while the tie-string bottoms hugged her peachy derriere and long legs
SPF: Melanie, who was joined by a female pal, was pictured slathering herself in sun cream as she prepared to whittle away the afternoon reading a book
The star even took to Instagram to share a bikini-clad snap and tell her followers all about her trip.
She wrote: ‘Dearest Tara @tjgristwood thank you for my brilliant holiday read Perfect Twist. It’s pacy, fun and oh so sexy.
‘I am so happy you are in my life and I am thinking of you. Cannot wait for the weekend at yours. All my love Melanie xxxxxxx #lidobeach #italy #venice #holidayread #tjgristwood #perfecttwist #bikini #beach #ontherocks as well as a holiday to celebrate my 51st birthday @melaniejburnett & I have been working on many future projects and Lots of content for the @thefrank_mag relaunching very soon xxxxx’.
After a spot of topping up her tan, Melanie and her pal explored the rockery and stopped to take some photos before heading to a boutique.
Mel stopped to pose for a photo with a fan and giggled as she modelled one of the necklaces that were for sale.
The last time the brunette beauty was in Venice, Mel hit the headlines for flouting strict Covid rules by flying to Venice to see her toyboy lover Riccardo.
Tanned: Shielding her eyes from the sun with black aviators, the TV star wore her hair down and opted for a make-up free look for her sunbathing session
On holiday: The star even took to Instagram to share a bikini-clad snap and tell her followers all about her trip
She wrote: She wrote: ‘Dearest Tara @tjgristwood thank you for my brilliant holiday read Perfect Twist. All my love Melanie as well as a holiday to celebrate my 51st birthday’
Melanie was pictured in the city visiting the boatman on November 21, before flying home to the UK and stepping out in the English capital on November 24.
The Blind Date voiceover artist had uploaded photos of herself at The May Fair Hotel, inside on a bed, and strutting around on the street, to Instagram.
TV star Mel claimed to be filming at the posh venue, with ITN later apologising for not adhering to covid-19 protocols.
A spokesperson said in a statement: ‘Filming with Melanie Sykes was mistakenly conducted without taking into account the covid protocols necessary after travel.
‘There was no deliberate attempt to break any rules. We apologise for the error and have reminded our teams of all COVID protocols.’
Say cheese: Mel stopped to pose for a photo with a fan and giggled as she modelled one of the necklaces that were for sale
Gripping read: Melanie couldn’t put her book down during the afternoon sunbathing session
Walk: After a spot of topping up her tan, Melanie and her pal explored the rockery and stopped to take some photos
Splashing the cash: Mel got out her purse after putting on the rope necklace which had some seashells on
Melanie and the gondolier, who is 27 years her junior, first enjoyed a six-day romance in October, after she paid him £72 for a half hour’s ride on his gondola.
The Today with Des and Mel star shared glimpses of her romantic getaway with Riccardo to Instagram in November, with the couple later enjoying a day out in Lake Garda.
Last week Mel said she has decided to step away from television after her 30-year career because she has ‘grown out of it’.
Retiring from TV: Last week Mel said she has decided to step away from television after her 30-year career because she has ‘grown out of it’
Fun in the sun: The pals talked as they walked along the rocks
Having a break: At one point her friend sat down after they took photos
No sunburn here! Mel made sure she rubbed sun cream into her ams and legs
Dreamy: Mel sat on the rocks by the water to read the book Perfect Twist
In an Instagram post she said: ‘At the end of April this year I stepped away from television after filming 3 different projects on the bounce, which you will see over the coming months.
‘It became apparent that I have out grown it in so many ways which I will discuss in detail in the future.
‘That said, I hope you enjoy the shows. Some are just pure ‘entertainment’, some important.
The I’m A Celeb star added: ‘The decision to step away was very easy for me as after two years of being editor of @thefrank_mag I have found my calling creatively & through this I have reconnected with who I am, what I believe in and what I am good at.
‘I’ve been busy on the relaunch of ‘Frank’ due to go live in Sept. @melaniejburnett & I started out together in 2019 and our working relationship blossoms every day, it’s an extraordinary journey which I am relishing.’
Time to head home: Afterwards, Mel donned a yellow sun dress and packed up her belongings in a wicker beach bag