MAFS expert Mel Schilling has sadly died aged 54

TV personality and Married At First Sight expert Mel Schilling has sadly died at the of age 54, following her battle with cancer.

Mel, who has appeared on both the UK and Australian versions of the hit dating show for the last decade, sadly passed away on Tuesday 24th March. The heartbreaking news was confirmed on the TV star's Instagram, with a long statement which read:

'Melanie Jane Brisbane-Schilling passed away peacefully today, surrounded by love.

'In her final moments, when I thought cancer had taken away her ability to speak, she ushered me closer and whispered a message for Maddie and me that will sustain me for the rest of my life. It took all of her remaining strength, and that gesture summed up our wee Melsie perfectly. Even then, her only thought was for Maddie and me.

'This is a woman who became a new mum and a TV star at 42 — and nailed both.

'This is a woman who, through two years of chemotherapy, when she could barely lift her head from the pillow, never complained and never stopped showing courage, grace, compassion and empathy, and never missed a day of filming.

'To most of you, she was Mel Schilling — matriarch of MAFS and queen of reality TV. To Maddie and me, she was our wee Melsie: an incredible mum, role model, and soulmate.

'On behalf of our family and her incredible friendship group, thank you for the support from around the world.

'I also want to thank our wonderful MAFS family — John, Alessandra, Charlene, Roxy, and Sophie — for your kindness and compassion.

'To Lee, Louie, Susy, and Ian at Channel 4 / CPL, who went above and beyond for us, we will never forget it.

'To Sarah at InterTalent, not just an agent, but a true confidante.

'And to the wonderful Elizabeth Day — Mel’s podcasting partner and dear friend — thank you for your friendship and empathy.

'Life can be beautiful, and life can be incredibly cruel. But ultimately, life is fleeting, fragile, and tomorrow is promised to no one. If you can do anything to honour Mel, please live life to the full, love your people well, and try not to sweat the small stuff.

'I had 15 wonderful years with my soulmate, and it was the privilege of my life to be by her side. For that, I will be forever thankful.

'Goodbye, my love. My one. Until we meet again.'

After being diagnosed with colon cancer in December 2023, Mel was given the all clear after having a tumour removed, but a routine scan in February 2024 later discovered small nodules in her lungs.

Whilst filming MAFS, Mel underwent 16 rounds of chemotherapy and was awaiting ground-breaking treatment, which was due to begin in March this year.

However, after her symptoms worsened over Christmas 2025, it was later discovered that Mel's cancer had spread to the left side of her brain, with her oncology team making her aware there was no further treatment available.

Tributes:

Since the sad news broke, tributes have been coming in for the TV star, with Channel 4 writing: 'All of us at Channel 4 are incredibly saddened by the news of Mel’s death. Our thoughts and condolences are, first and foremost, with her family and loved ones.

'We’re privileged to be the channel that is home to Mel’s work, which was at the heart of Married at First Sight’s phenomenal success, both in the UK and Australia. It reflected so much about her – her fierce advocacy for other women, her passion for healthy relationships and her mission to unite people in love.

'Just as importantly, we’d like to pay tribute to Mel as a person. For many who work for Channel 4, Mel was not just a colleague but a friend, someone who radiated joy, warmth and optimism, who energised every room she walked into with humour and positivity.

'Everyone who knew her will miss all this about her and much more. We share in the sorrow that we’re sure many viewers will now feel at this terrible loss.'

Mel's close friend and MAFS colleague John Aiken wrote online: 'Where it began and where it ended.

'It’s with great sadness and heavy heart that today I lost my dear friend and fellow MAFS expert Mel Schilling. I am heartbroken, devastated and finding it hard to breathe.

'She came into my life 10 years ago and together we rode this @mafs juggernaut, being there for one another through it all. Nothing could prepare us for what lay ahead, but she was always in the fox hole with me.

'It was a privilege and an honor to sit beside her on the MAFS couch and watch her shine. She was warm, supportive and honest, and she deeply cared about all our participants. I had a front row seat to her remarkable skills and she truly believed in the experiment. At her core she loved love ❤️

'And behind the scenes we had so much fun. Before going on set we would sing, dance, face time her daughter and eat lollies. Every time I came to set she would squeal, jump out of her chair and run and embrace me - squeezing me tight.

'And through all of these years she was an amazing mother and wife. She was loving, committed, loyal, fun and so very very kind. And she always had as her driving force her family. She was a role model for all to see.

'And when her illness struck she never complained. She kept her challenges to herself and continued to deliver time and time again. She was an inspiration, a fighter, a leader.

'It’s not fair that my partner in crime is gone. She was one of the good ones. I am unravelling just thinking about it. I wanted to sit on our couch together forever. She knew my rhythms and I knew hers. But it’s simply not to be.

'Dearest Mel - I want to thank you for everything you have given me over the past decade. I am distraught. Sadly and devastatingly I have to accept that you are now gone.

'The MAFS universe weeps, as does all your dearest family and friends. Particularly, all my love and prayers go to Gareth and Maddie - we have all been blessed to have known her.

'I love you and I miss you gorgeous. xx'. (sic)

Mel's fellow MAFS Australia expert and friend Alessandra Rampolla said: 'Mi querida Mel,

'I am struggling to find the words, because none of them feel big enough for what I feel right now. My heart is shattered.

'I feel so incredibly grateful for the time we shared last week… to look you in the eyes, to hold your hand, and to say the things that truly mattered. That is a gift I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

'You were so much more than a colleague. You were a constant, a guiding force, and to me, someone I admired and learned from — like a big sister, a woman of immense heart, wisdom, and generosity. You welcomed me from the very beginning and made me feel at home in a space that could have felt overwhelming, always kind and generous with your light. That is who you were.

'What we shared—on and off screen—was real, and I will treasure it always. Thank you for your friendship, your laughter, your strength, and your unwavering belief in love. You will be deeply, deeply missed… but never forgotten, Chica.

'Holding Gareth, Maddie, and your beautiful family forever in my heart.

'Con todo mi amor, Alessandra 🤍.' (sic)

Charlene Douglas, who has been on MAFS UK alongside Mel for the last five series, wrote: 'I’m both devastated and heartbroken to hear of the passing of my MAFS queen and friend Mel.

'I had the pleasure of spending time with Mel in her last days and will forever treasure the laughter, the memories and love we had for each other.

'Mel’s love for life, jokes and of course dancing will forever stay in my heart. What I wouldn’t give to be dancing to Beyoncé with you right now.

'Sleep in perfect peace Mel. Love you ♥️'. (sic)

Michael Healy, Nine’s Executive Director of Entertainment, Streaming and Broadcasting, shared: 'All of us at Nine are deeply saddened by the loss of Mel Schilling.

'Mel was a wonderful colleague and friend. She had a gift for connecting with people and helping them navigate life’s challenges. For years, she guided us through the complexities of the human heart with wisdom, honesty, and kindness.

'Mel was a big part of our family, and she will be greatly missed. Our hearts and deepest sympathies are with her husband Gareth, their daughter Maddie and her entire family during this incredibly difficult time.'

Celebs Go Dating star Anna Williamson, who has worked closely with Mel in the past, wrote: 'What a woman. A fighter til the end, an end that was far far too soon.

'All of our Channel 4 family are grieving the loss of Mel. She touched a lot of people on and off screen. As her E4 ‘stable mate’ and with a love of coaching others and juggling being telly mums we naturally gravitated towards eachother, held a deep respect for eachother and became friends.

'Mel was always optimistic in spirit about her cancer diagnosis and fight for recovery. She never complained when she’d message, and was always putting in the fight for her Gareth and Maddie.

'Many people were touched by Mel and benefited from her badass approach to life, her work and her family and I know that legacy will continue👌

'And it’s her beautiful family who my heart goes out to in particular, I can only imagine the pain at her loss, the sheer love and pride she had for her Gareth & Maddie was off the charts!! A fiercely proud wife and mama ❤️

'Rest now my friend. Thanks for the always cheery voicenotes ‘just because’ 🫶❤️'. (sic)

A number of former MAFS stars from both the UK and Australian series also shared tributes to Mel.

Davide Anica wrote: 'Some people come into your life for a short time, but leave a lasting imprint on your heart 🤍 @mel_schilling1 was one of those people for me. Always calm, always kind, always knowing exactly what to say when it mattered most. She had this way of making you feel seen… and reminding you what really matters.

'One thing she always stood for was simple, but powerful 🕊️ enjoy life, and hold your people close. And that’s something I’ll carry with me forever.

'Life moves fast, and moments pass quicker than we realise… so this is your reminder (and mine) to appreciate the people around you, tell them you love them, and don’t take the little things for granted.

'Rest easy 🤍 you’ll be deeply missed.🕊️'. (sic)

John Shephard added: 'So sorry for your loss, Abi and I were watching MAFS Australia last night thinking about Mel. What a wonderful, incredible woman. So sorry for your loss ❤️', with Leah Tyrer adding: 'This is so so sad. I hope you find peace and feel the love from everyone. Can’t believe it 💔'. (sic)

Leigh Harris wrote: 'Sending you all so much love and healing. What a truly magical woman she was🤍🕊️', with Erica Roberts writing: 'Mel was such an incredible woman loved by everyone! My heart breaks for your family, she will be truly missed 😢❤️'. (sic)

Tayah Victoria, who found love with Adam Aveling during the 2021 series, wrote: 'Devastating, absolutely heartbroken. Mel was such a beautiful person full of love. Sending you all so much love ❤️❤️'. (sic)

Blue singer Duncan James also paid his respects, writing: 'Nothing but love and admiration for Mel and how much of a fighter she was. Such a beautiful soul and will be truly truly missed. 😢'. (sic)

Jay Howard then wrote: 'Rest in peace Mel, you beautiful soul… my heart is broken for you, your family and everyone who knew you. Thank you for your support, for teaching me how to open up and love myself… your impact and legacy will live on through everyone whose lives you touched! I feel honoured to have been in your orbit 💔🕊️'. (sic)

Matt Pilmoor added: 'Heart breaking, such an incredible lady. Thoughts to all her family and friends. ❤️', with Julia-Ruth Smith writing: 'Heart is broken, so sorry for your loss! What an incredible woman loved by all ❤️'.

CPL Productions also shared their condolence, writing: 'All at CPL were deeply saddened to hear of the death of our beloved friend and colleague, Mel Schilling.

'Over many years, many of us have been privileged to work with Mel on Married at First Sight, and her loss today will come as a tremendous sadness to all who knew her.

'Mel went far beyond being just a fantastic onscreen presenter; she was a friend to CPL, and to many of us who worked with her.

'We send our love and heartfelt condolences at this incredibly difficult time to Mel's family, friends, and all who were close to her. She will be deeply missed by everyone whose lives she touched'. (sic)

In a heartbreaking statement released to her Instagram page on 12th March, Mel shared the news of her terminal cancer, urging her fans to get checked out if things didn't feel right.

She wrote at the time: 'In December 2023 I was diagnosed with colon cancer after a tumour the size of a lemon was discovered during a scan. “Terry,” as I called him, was successfully removed and I was initially given the all clear — that much many of you already know.

'Unfortunately, in late February 2024 during a routine scan, small nodules were discovered in my lungs. The cancer had metastasised and my world changed again in an instant. Over the past two years, while filming MAFS, I underwent 16 rounds of chemotherapy and was later told I was eligible for a groundbreaking clinical trial specific to my gene type, due to start in March 2026. Once again, my optimism soared that I might beat this thing.

'Over Christmas, however, I began experiencing blinding headaches and numbness down my right side. After many tests I was told the cancer had spread to the left side of my brain and, despite subsequent radiotherapy sessions, my oncology team have now told me there is nothing further they can do.

'Hearing those words changes everything.

'So that’s where I am now. My light is starting to fade — and quickly. But I am still here, still fighting, and surrounded by the most incredible love. Simple tasks have become incredibly difficult and I am relying on my beautiful family to look after me. I honestly don’t know how long I have left, but I do know I will fight to my last breath and will be surrounded by the love and support of my people.

'At the outset of this journey, so many of you sent the most wonderful messages of support. They have meant more than I can ever properly express and have helped shape the mindset I’ve needed to keep fighting. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

'If I could leave you with one thing, it would simply be this: if something doesn’t feel right, please get it checked out. It might just save your life.

'These two beside me are my everything.

'With love and gratitude, Mel'. (sic)

Although she'd made the decision to leave her role on MAFS Australia, following the 13th series, which was filmed in 2025, Mel was due to feature on the 2026 series of MAFS UK, with filming starting in mid-February.

However, following her terminal diagnosis, E4 bosses announced Mel's friend and MAFS Australia star John Aiken would be stepping in for her.

Mel is survived by her husband Gareth, and her daughter, Maddie. Our thoughts are with Mel's family and friends at this difficult time.

Remembering the famous faces we've sadly lost in 2026:

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