Melanie Sykes, 50, shares a passionate smooch with gondolier lover Riccardo Simionato, 23

She recently returned to Venice after enjoying a six-day fling with a gondolier 27 years her junior in October.

And Melanie Sykes, 50, was spotted in another passionate clinch with her toy boy lover Riccardo Simionato, 23, on Wednesday after he took her for a romantic ride on his gondola through the canals of the Italian city.

The TV star was helped out of the vessel by handsome boatman Riccardo before they wrapped their arms around each other and shared a smooch beside the water.

Wow! Melanie Sykes, 50, was spotted in another passionate clinch with her toy boy lover Riccardo Simionato, 23, on Wednesday after he took her for a romantic ride on his gondola through the canals of the Italian city

Mel appeared to be making the most of the Venetian sights as she was escorted along the canal by the gondolier, while she was also joined by male companion inside the boat.

The radio presenter looked chic in a pale pink jumper which she styled with a scarf and a pair of white jeans, while she shielded her eyes from the sun with a pair of circular shades. 

Meanwhile, in a nod to the traditional nautical-themed gondolier dress code, Riccardo opted for a blue and white jumper with a pair of black jeans.

What a sight! Mel appeared to be making the most of the Venetian sights as she was escorted along the canal by the gondolier, while she was also joined by male companion inside the boat

The pretty brunette was first linked to the handsome chap in October. 

Little surprise then that Mel, who found fame in the 1990s as the face of Boddingtons bitter, told her online followers she was feeling ‘just a bit giddy’.

Mel and Riccardo, who still lives with his parents, went on to enjoy a six-day fling in the Floating City. 

Twice-divorced Mel, who has sons aged 18 and 16, looks much younger than her age. As the gallant gondolier, who declined to discuss their dalliance, himself noted: ‘Beauty is relative.’

Helping hand: The TV star was helped out of the vessel by handsome boatman Riccardo before they wrapped their arms around each other and shared a smooch beside the water

The Manchester-born star had been in Venice on a mini-break with a female friend and first posted a picture of herself being punted along a canal by obliging Riccardo the week before the romance was revealed.

The pictured embrace came less than 48 hours later, on Monday, and the next day she was seen enjoying an alfresco breakfast in the gondolier’s company in the intimate Campo San Toma square. 

He remained with Mel until that Thursday, the last day of her holiday, when they were pictured arm-in-arm under an umbrella.

Riccardo wheeled Mel’s suitcase on to a water taxi that took them both to the city’s Marco Polo airport, where he waved her off as she made her way to passport control.

Asked if he prefers English women, Riccardo replied: ‘Every person is different, nationality doesn’t matter. True, no?’

But he clammed up when asked if he planned to see Mel again. For Mel’s part, she posted a tantalising picture on social media of the famous Rialto bridge with the caption: ‘Ciao for now.’