TV star has spoken about needing a bodyguard because of the unwanted male attention she receives, even when just walking her dog. The TV star said she fears for her safety, especially when men realise she is on her own.

Mum-of-two Melanie, 54, revealed she was never accosted while with her previous other halves. But she added: “I’d rather pay for somebody to have my back...It’s cheaper than most partners I’ve had.”

Speaking on her channel, Melanie went on: “I need a security detail when I go somewhere. It’s something I’ve suddenly realised in the past six months is what I need. When you are married and you’re out and about, or you are with a man, people don’t bother you and ask inappropriate questions. They speak to the bloke, and I have had that a million times. Still I can’t go on big long walks on my own with my dog. It’s just not possible for me as a single woman. I wouldn’t do it.

“The risk of being recognised and then... the amount of stuff that’s happened to me after being approached by someone I don’t want to speak to and then how very quickly the man is pi*ssed off. You’re immediately in danger because you’ve crossed a barrier.”

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Mel, who is a mum to boys Roman and Valentino from , said she is very happily single and has everything she needs in her two lads and her beloved corgi, Porchie. She added: “Some people have their partners. I don’t have nor want a partner. You’d have to be someone pretty f***ing extraordinary for me to even notice you. But it isn’t a criteria or priority for me so I’d rather pay for somebody to have my back and then I don’t have to negotiate for that person either. It’s cheaper than most partners I’ve had. It’s a necessity, it really is.”

Mel and Daniel pair married in 2001 but separated in 2008 before divorcing a year later. , then 27, in May 2013, after meeting on . But in November that year, Mel was cautioned for common assault after police were called to a dispute with the roofer. The caution was later withdrawn and removed from official records.

She and Jack split after seven months, but they didn’t divorce until 2016, by which time Mel said she had been “fine for quite a few years”, and that the divorce was the easy part. The hardest was: “Being married to the wrong person.”

In 2022, Mel ended her romance with . She has said previously of the age differences: “It got to a point where I had a few boyfriends on the bounce that were 27. So what? I like the energy of a certain age.” Mel shot to fame in a 1996 advert that showed her manning an ice-cream van and serving a pint of Boddingtons bitter.

She then had a successful TV career beginning on ’s from 1997 before joining forces with late TV legend Des O’Connor for their daytime show, Today with Des And Mel, in 2002. In 2014, she headed to the jungle for the 14th series of I’m A Celebrity. Mel finished in third place, behind singer and the eventual winner, superbike racing legend .

In 2021, the Lancastrian quit showbiz and was told she had autism. She said of it: “My late diagnosis of autism has changed my life for the better. I just needed to do the work and will continue to do it. For once, I come first.

“For anyone who is feeling stuck in any way right now, know you are not alone and know you will reach better horizons. If I can, you can.”