I love being Strong not skinny!

Presenter Mel Sykes tells us about her varied exercise regime, clean eating and why she loves being behind the camera

Posing for the camera at our photo shoot, it’s easy to see that Mel Sykes began her career as a model. She’s a natural, nailing the shots in minutes. So it comes as a surprise when Mel reveals that she still gets nervous filming for TV.

‘That beginning bit, ‘Hello and welcome…’, is always quite scary for me,’ she admits, which is why one of her latest roles excites her so much. The 46-year old is the new voice of ‘our Graham’ on Channel 5’s takeover of the iconic TV show Blind Date. With Mel’s pal Paul O’Grady at the helm, it’s sure to be a hit with a whole new generation.

‘I love not being on camera,’ says Mel. ‘In fact, I prefer it – it’s so much more fun and relaxed.’ But a new generation will get to see Mel in action when she returns to her ‘Cream of Manchester’ roots in a reincarnation of the Boddingtons bitter ad that launched her TV career 20 years ago. ‘I’m excited about it,’ she says. ‘When they asked if I’d be interested, the answer was yes straightaway. It was a no-brainer. My association with the brand has never ended – almost every day someone says to me, ‘Do you want a flake in that, love?’’

Add to that presenting on BBC Radio 2 with Alan Carr, narrating The Mummy Diaries on ITVBe and guest appearances on ITVBe’s Be Tasty with Alice Liveing (aka Clean Eating Alice), Mel’s career is nothing if not varied. And her workout regime follows a similar pattern.

Hearing about it feels like standing in front of the pick–and–mix – a handful of this, a taster of that – but all without the sugar rush! Well known for being a gym bunny, Mel has started to add classes to her schedule – although, she insists, there really isn’t a schedule.