Davina McCall and Dannii Minogue are among the celebrities who have flooded the comments on Mel Schilling’s social media post sharing her terminal cancer diagnosis.
The Married At First Sight expert revealed the devastating news on Thursday, just weeks after announcing she would be stepping back from the dating show due to health reasons.
In an Instagram post, the 54-year-old psychologist said that after almost two years of treatment for cancer, doctors have informed her that there is nothing more they can do.
‘I honestly don’t know how long I have left,’ she wrote, alongside a photo hugging her husband Gareth and daughter Maddie. ‘But I do know I will fight to my last breath and will be surrounded by the love and support of my people.’
In the detailed post, Schilling said she was diagnosed in December 2023 after a tumour ‘the size of a lemon’ was discovered during a scan. She was diagnosed with colon cancer and she was given the all clear after the tumour was removed, but months later, she learned the cancer had returned in her lungs.
While filming MAFS, the dating expert said she has been undergoing rounds of chemotherapy. Despite enrolling in a new clinical trial, Schilling learned the cancer had spread to the left side of her brain over Christmas.
Schilling said doctors have now informed her that her prognosis is terminal.
‘My light is starting to fade – and quickly. But I am still here, still fighting, and surrounded by the most incredible love,’ she wrote. ‘Simple tasks have become incredibly difficult and I am relying on my beautiful family to look after me.’
The comments section on the post was flooded with celebrities and fans alike sharing their support after the terrible news.
Davina McCall said she is ‘sending love and light’, while Towie star Jess Wright wrote: ‘Sending you so much love & strength.’
In a lengthy comment, Dannii Minogue wrote: ‘You are small but mighty, with such a huge heart. I have not known you long, but you are so loved by so many.
What are the symptoms of bowel cancer?
The NHS states that symptoms of bowel cancer can include:
- Changes in your poo, such as having softer poo, diarrhoea or constipation that is not usual for you
- Needing to poo more or less often than usual for you
blood in your poo, which may look red or black
bleeding from your bottom - Often feeling like you need to poo, even if you’ve just been to the toilet
- Tummy pain
- A lump in your tummy
- Bloating
- Losing weight without trying
- Feeling very tired for no reason
For more information, click here.
‘My heart breaks for you and your beautiful family. Looking forward to holding your tiny hand, laughing so loud and dancing it off. Always here to bring you some Aussie sunshine.’
Vicky Pattison commented: ‘My brave, beautiful and strong woman… I am so so sorry. Sending all my love and prayers to you and your family.’
Schilling joined the Nine series in Australia in 2016 and it has gone on to become a huge, occasionally controversial, hit. The Nine Entertainment network said it was ‘deeply saddened’ by the news in a statement.
‘[Mel] is a woman of extraordinary depth, kindness, and an unshakeable spirit,’ the network said.
‘She isn’t just a colleague; she is family. Our thoughts, love, and strength are with Mel, her husband, Gareth, and her daughter, Maddie, during this incredibly difficult time. Mel, we are all behind you.’
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