Entertainment
Melanie Sykes ‘splits from boyfriend Riccardo Simionato’ after two-year romance -Kim Novak-Entertainment – Metro
They met when she rode his gondola in 2020.
Melanie and Riccardo met in 2020 when she rode his gondola (Picture: rex / @msmelaniesykes)
Melanie Sykes has reportedly split from her boyfriend Riccardo Simionato almost two years after they started dating.
The presenter, 52, fell for Riccardo, 25, in October 2020 after meeting when she took a ride on his gondola during a trip to Venice.
The pair’s romance appears to have fizzled out due to the distance between them, as a source told The Sun: ‘Riccardo is based in Venice, while Mel is in the UK.
‘It was really fun and romantic at first travelling back and forth but it wasn’t very sustainable in the long run.’
They added: ‘The pair have nothing but kind things to say about each other and Venice will forever hold a very special place in Mel’s heart.’
Melanie last shared a post about Riccardo in August last years after travelling to see him in Italy, writing: ‘Ciao for now beautiful Venice you and your people have my heart.’
The distance is said to have been a factor (Picture: Instagram)
Riccardo responded to her post, writing: ‘Thank you very much for the good times spent together.’
The couple were also spotted together in October in London but are not thought to have been seen together in public since.
Melanie and Riccardo had gone public with their relationship after meeting when she paid £72 for a 30-minute gondola ride on his boat.
She wrote on social media after photos of them together emerged at the time: ‘I knew I was being stalked on my holiday but I managed to ignore it, partly because it’s just what happens but mostly because I was experiencing so much joy, it was difficult to actually care.
The presenter has yet to speak out publicly (Picture: Mike Marsland/WireImage)
‘May you also recognise, appreciate and take those happy moments in this crazy world. Love Melanie x #livethatlife.’
While Riccardo remained quiet about their relationship, he previously said: ‘Beauty is relative. Maybe what in your eyes is beautiful, isn’t to me.
‘Every person is different, nationality doesn’t matter. True, no?’
Melanie was previously married to actor Daniel Caltagirone, 50, from 2001 until their divorce in 2009, and shared two children, Roman, 18, and Valentino, 16, together.
She later married Jack Cockings, 35, in 2013 but the couple called time on the union after less than a year.
Metro.co.uk has contacted reps for Melanie Sykes for comment.
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