Melanie Sykes on Shop Well For Less
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Shop Well for Less: Melanie Sykes battled ‘judgement’ while raising autistic son

The presenter previously opened up about her autistic son

Melanie Sykes appears alongside Joanna Page in BBC One’s Shop Well for Less tonight (August 12).

On the series, the presenting pair help families change the way they shop, without changing their lifestyle.

But Melanie also has children herself, including autistic son Valentino.

Melanie Sykes Keith Lemon
Melanie Sykes previously battled judgement whilst raising son Valentino (Credit: SplashNews.som)

What did Melanie Sykes previously say?

Valentino, now 17, started displaying symptoms when he was two-years-old.

In 2014, Melanie opened up about her son’s autism in a bid to raise awareness for the condition.

She appeared on ITV’s Daybreak to speak to hosts Lorraine Kelly and Aled Jones.

Read more: Melanie Sykes claims she ‘cried all night after Keith Lemon comments’

At the time, Melanie, 51, shared: “They [people with autism] are very sensitive people. And they are very fun.

“Tino makes me laugh on a daily basis. He has no filter – he just says it how it is. He is a real character, a real joy.”

She went on to explain that her son, who has high-functioning autism, struggles in certain social situations.

Melanie Sykes
Melanie said her son struggles her certain situations (Credit: SplashNews.com)

The TV star added: “There are issues such as judging from other people. Tino looks like a normal child but if he gets overloaded – if in a restaurant there is too much music, or the clatter of cutlery, he will have to get up and hop about.

“He doesn’t realise. I do try and explain to people.”

Meanwhile, back in 2018, Melanie spoke openly about the struggles of raising Valentino.

There are issues such as judging from other people

Valentino was 13-years-old at the time.

Speaking to The Mirror, the star shared: “He really needs me. Sometimes I think I am doing really well, and sometimes I am just overwhelmed by it.

“Every now and again it will hit me and I will go, ‘Wow, he might never be independent of me’. Which is fine.”

Melanie Sykes on Shop Well For Less
The star appears alongside Joanna Page in BBC One’s Shop Well for Less (Credit: BBC One)

Does Melanie have any other kids?

Yes, Melanie is also a proud mum to son Roman.

The presenter shares her children with ex-husband and actor Daniel Caltagirone.

The former couple wed in January 2001, before divorcing in June 2009.

Read more: Joanna Page announces ‘surprise’ fourth baby, but who is her husband?

Melanie later married Jack Cockings in 2013 for just seven months.

Furthermore, she previously dated Alan Partridge star Steve Coogan for less than 12 months.

Watch Melanie and Joanna on BBC One’s Shop Well for Less tonight at 8pm. 

Melanie Sykes And Daniel Caltagirone On Parenting A Child With Autism | This Morning

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Nancy Brown
Associate Editor