On March 27th 1988, a tabloid publication ran the front-page story titled ‘Mel’s First Steps’, accompanied by an unrecognisable, yet incredibly courageous, photograph of Mel. The story was accompanied by a two-page spread, boasting more photographs which had been sold to the paper by Kim’s ex-partner. When asked about this later, Kim recalled “I was so angry, but Mel was so great about it. She said nonchalantly, “Oh well…”. It was just some low-life trying to make some money. I don’t want to talk about him too much as he probably thinks he is famous. It was bad for Melanie to be seen that way, but it was something that we coped with!” Mel referred to the photographs, at a later press conference, saying, "If people want a cheap thrill out of me looking ill, that’s up to them!” The photographs had been taken in Kim’s house as part of a family celebration to welcome Mel home from hospital for Christmas, in 1987, and the accompanying story of Mel’s ‘torment’ was tasteless and thoughtless, displaying no regard for the feelings of a brave and frightened 21 year old girl and her loved ones... But the photographs are inspirational and show the strength of spirit and determination Mel possessed. Unbelievably, despite the trials she is going through, Mel is pictured in the photographs laughing! After the initial shock of the story breaking, the girls admitted that it was also a relief that the truth was now finally out there. Mel was feeling stronger and the effort of hiding herself had been taking a heavy toll on her and her family. Kim later recalled, “It became really hard keeping it a secret and hiding her from people, when the news broke, it was a big relief.”

On March 24th 1988, three days before the publication of the photographs, Mel & Kim made the difficult decision to hold a press conference, in London's Russel Hotel, to finally face the world and take the wind out of the impending Tabloid story and photographs, which were set for print that weekend. The duo may have sang the line “We ain’t ever gonna be respectable”, but the sight of the incredibly brave young girl leaning on her equally brave big sister, and hobbling slowly, with the aid of sticks, into the conference room, earned the respect of the gathered press instantly - and you could have heard a pin drop. Those present did not know what to expect, given that the ‘outing’ of Mel’s illness had not been of her own doing, and she and her family obviously had been coping with a huge amount of pressure and pain over the last year. However, any nerves and discomfort in the room soon vanished when Mel sat in front of her microphone and laughed loudly, before announcing, "Yeah, I’m wearing a wig! I’m as bald as a coot! Don’t anyone in here open the window, otherwise a wind will blow through and me wig will come off!” She then dissolved into more giggles, before adding, “I was having to take steroids, so my weight went up to 11 stone. Only a couple of weeks ago I looked like a cabbage patch doll!” It wasn’t only Mel’s humour that was clear to see, her strength of spirit was also shining out! "I WILL make a full recovery, I have never thought that I am going to die. I am not going to let that happen!” When asked how she had felt about the private photographs of her, in recovery, being sold to the press, Mel said, “What it has done is made me show myself in public much earlier than I wanted to. I don’t feel any pain at all now, but believe me, if I’d have come out in public a few months ago, my face would have been screwed up because of the pain!” When asked about maintaining her humour throughout such a grave experience, Mel laughed loudly and said, "Me and Kim have had a sense of humour throughout the treatment. We've had to laugh at a lot of things.  I feel I could handle anything now. You've got to keep looking up. Don't look on the downside."  

On April 29th 1988, a few weeks after their press conference, the sisters appeared on the hugely popular prime-time British talk show ‘Wogan’, where they charmed the studio audience, TV viewers, and the host - Sir Terry - with their fun-filled banter and unfaltering optimism. Within minutes, the girls were full of laughter, sharing stories from their life experiences, and playfully referring to the show’s host as "Tel!" Mel looked far improved from the photographs that had been published the previous month, but she was still bloated from her punishing medication regime, and she was wearing a wig. During the interview, Mel shared with the audience her continuing struggles to get on her feet. “At the moment I am still working on my walking, ‘cause I walk with sticks, but by summer, I should be getting it together.” Despite the obvious seriousness of Mel’s condition,  the conversation was peppered, as ever, with fun and laughter, and it remains a very personal and touching interview, showing both girls' strength, humour and tenacity. In addition, the interview also showcased a verse of a new song, penned by the sisters. While chatting about writing their own songs, they were asked to sing, and launched into a faultless rendition of a track they called, Oh Yes, I’m Leaving - in acapella, no less. Certainly, any prior questions over the girls' vocal talents were immediately silenced, as the sisters harmonised together, pausing only for Mel to mimic the bass guitar line and to, as always, laugh!  (This track was later re-titled If You Cared, and became Kim’s fourth single release from her solo album).