Melanie Sykes and her boyfriend Riccardo Simionato, a gondolier she met in Venice last year, were spotted looking as loved-up as ever as they reunited in London recently.
The TV presenter, 51, and her 24-year-old beau were seen heading out on a romantic stroll on Sunday, following Riccardo's arrival to the UK, and only had eyes for each other as they shared a tender hug and walked hand-in-hand.
The pair first met in Venice in 2020, when Melanie headed overseas with a friend, and they enjoyed a six-day fling in the Italian water city - although, Riccardo's trip to London would suggest their relationship has turned much more serious in recent months.
Smitten: Melanie Sykes and her boyfriend Riccardo Simionato, a gondolier she met in Venice last year, were spotted looking as loved-up as ever as they reunited for a romantic stroll in London on Sunday
A smitten Melanie looked the picture of happiness as she wrapped her arms around Riccardo, who is 27 years her junior, during their loved-up outing.
She was casually dressed in a frilled white top and dark-wash jeans, and teamed her dressed down ensemble with white trainers and a stylish black leather crossbody bag.
The former Let's Do Lunch host wore her dark locks swept back into a low bun and opted for a pared back beauty look.
Riccardo, meanwhile, stepped out sporting an olive-hued sweatshirt, jeans and leather boots. Throughout the walk, he wrapped his jumper across his shoulders and was seen toting a daffodil flower in the belt hook of his jeans.
Loved-up: The former Let's Do Lunch host, 51, was seen holding hands with her 24-year-old boyfriend Riccardo
Close: When they weren't hand-in-hand, the pair walked with their arms wrapped around each other's waists
He and Melanie walked hand-in-hand and seemed in good spirits - chatting away to one another and flashing smiles during their stroll.
When they weren't holding hands, the couple had their arms firmly wrapped around each other's waists and were seen sharing a tender moment where Melanie nestled into her beau's shoulder as they hugged on the street.
She and Ricardo, who is based in Venice, have embarked on a long-distance relationship since meeting last year and just last month, Melanie headed back to Italy to enjoy a reunion with her man.
In October 2020, Melanie and Riccardo first met when she enjoyed a half-hour gondola ride through they city's water channels for £72. Riccardo had been Melanie's gondolier and the pair appeared to hit it off, with reports revealing they threw themselves into a six-day fling during her stay.
Having a moment: They were spotted hugging, with Melanie nestled into her boyfriend's shoulder at one point
Happy: Melanie seemed thrilled to have Riccardo, who is 27 years her junior, in London with her - the gondolier is based in Venice and the pair met during a trip Melanie had taken to the Italian city in 2020
Going strong: The pair enjoyed a six-day fling while Melanie was in Venice on a mini-break with a pal, with their holiday romance soon turning into a long distance relationship
Committed: So much so, that Melanie has been seen taking trips to Venice to see Riccardo - last reuniting with him in Venice in August where she declared the former chef 'has my heart'
Pictures surfaced of Melanie and Riccardo kissing and addressing her holiday romance at the time, the TV star told fans she 'was experiencing so much joy, it was difficult to actually care' who saw her.
She wrote via her
