Melanie Sykes has hit out at critics over her six-day fling with a toyboy in Venice.
The TV star's whirlwind romance saw her enjoy a brief dalliance with gondolier Riccardo Simionato, 23, during her solo holiday.
Seemingly blasé, the mum-of-two admitted she found it "difficult to care" about what people thought because she was "experiencing so much joy".
Mel, 50, confessed to being swept up in "those happy moments in this crazy world" when she confided in fans about her love affair on Sunday.
She wrote: "Morning strumpets. 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.
"May you also recognise, appreciate and take those happy moments in this crazy world. love Melanie x #livethatlife."
Within 24 hours of meeting Riccardo on a gondola ride, Mel was spotted locking lips with the handsome gondolier in Venice.
Their PDA-fest set tongues wagging in the City of Love.
A hotel worker told The Mirror at the time: “They seemed to be completely smitten.
"You could tell she was older than him but she looks incredible and it was no surprise to see a younger man with her.
"They made for a very handsome couple.”
Mel has two sons her sons Roman, 18, and Valentino, 16, from her first marriage to actor Daniel Caltagirone.
