Melanie Sykes claims her complaints about Keith Lemon were "ignored" after filming Through The Keyhole

Allegations of sexual jokes

Melanie Sykes, the TV star, has spoken out about her alleged mistreatment by Keith Lemon, real name Leigh Francis, during the filming of ITV's Through The Keyhole. In a podcast earlier this year, Sykes claimed that Lemon made a series of sexual jokes about her in front of a live audience back in 2018.

Complaints ignored

According to Sykes, she raised her concerns to TV bosses at Talkback but her complaints were allegedly "ignored." She expressed her disappointment, stating that the production company did not acknowledge her complaints at the time.

Keith Lemon's remarks

One of the remarks Sykes highlighted was Lemon's comment: "I bet your a*****e smells of flowers." Sykes stated that she was caught off guard by Lemon's behavior, expecting a different demeanor from the TV personality.

An emotional experience

Sykes revealed that after the three-hour recording, she felt upset and cried all night. She immediately reported the incident to her agent and the head of the production company, requesting that her involvement in the edit be carefully managed to avoid any negative portrayal. Sykes said that she believed her experience was not unique, even before the rise of the MeToo movement.

Talkback's response

In response to Sykes' allegations, a spokesperson for production company Talkback emphasized that they prioritize the well-being of all guests on their shows and continuously review and improve their welfare processes. They also stressed that they aim for everyone to feel supported.

Continued criticism of Keith Lemon

This is not the first time Sykes has criticized Lemon. In an interview with Frank Magazine, she described the Celebrity Juice host as "basic and limited" and expressed sympathy for British men who she claimed have adopted Lemon's vocabulary when talking about women.

Keith Lemon's response

In response to Sykes' previous comments, Lemon privately messaged her to inquire about her dislike for him. However, Lemon revealed that Sykes attributed her feelings to his on-screen persona rather than himself personally. He defended himself by noting that he has won two Baftas and two NTAs.