Married at First Sight star Mel Schilling has died at the age of 54, after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.
The beloved dating coach had said she did not know how long she had left in an emotional Instagram post in early March, having been told by doctors that the cancer had spread to her brain.
A statement shared by her husband Gareth on Instagram 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.’
The Australian native was first diagnosed with colon cancer in December 2023 and had undergone 16 rounds of chemotherapy while filming MAFS, which she first joined her home country version of in 2016.
The statement continued: ‘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.’
After thanking Mel’s closest friend’s and colleagues, the statement concluded: ‘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.’
Schilling shared her devastating diagnosis with the world only weeks ago after she had been told by her oncology team that there was ‘nothing further they can do’.
‘My light is starting to fade – and quickly,’ Schilling wrote, to a deluge of support from stars.
Tributes poured in for the presenter, with Vicky Pattison writing: ‘Absolutely heartbreaking. A beautiful woman inside and out… my thoughts are with your family and friends.’
Sophie Ellis Bextor added: ‘I never met Mel, but I always thought she came across so well and spoke a lot of sense. Sending love to all who knew her and will endeavour to appreciate the days I have and honour her memory. Xx’.
Former MAFS UK star Amy Christophers wrote: ‘Oh Gareth, I’m absolutely devastated for you and Maddie. I’m so so sorry, I really hoped she had longer. Sending you both so much love and everyone else touched by Mel’s heart and sparkle.
‘What a loss for the world. She will never be forgotten and I’ll be eternally grateful for the love she showed me. I’m glad she knew how loved she was and the difference she made in people’s lives. May her legacy live on. Thinking of you at this difficult time, all my love xxxxxxxx’.
The psychologist-turned-TV host helmed the expert panel of the Aussie franchise for 12 seasons and also appeared in five series of the UK version on Channel 4.
But Schilling had announced she would be stepping back from filming earlier this year, in order to prioritise her family and health. MAFS Australia expert John Aiken stepped in to replace her for the remainder of the latest UK series, as filming was underway.
‘Simple tasks have become incredibly difficult,’ Schilling wrote of her condition before her death, adding: ‘I honestly don’t know how long I have left, but I do know I will fight to my last breath.’
She urged people to get checked out if ‘something doesn’t feel right’ in the post, which featured a photo of her hugging her husband Gareth and daughter Maddie, who she is survived by.
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Schilling brought her personal brand of Aussie warmth and wit to her appearances on MAFS, always on hand to give no-nonsense advice to those experiencing romantic woes, whether it was on TV, radio or in the pages of her book, The C Word (Confidence).
Having trained as a psychologist, Schilling first climbed the corporate ladder as a psychologist, while also working on the side as an actress, which led to an unlikely credit in Neighbours, all before she was cast in MAFS.
Schilling married her husband, Gareth Brisbane in Bali in 2020 and described him as her ‘soul mate’, having met on a dating website eight years prior.
Speaking about her wedding day, Mel said she ‘had a bit of a cry’ on the big day.
‘It’s just the meaning of it all,’ she told Who Magazine. ‘I was a late bloomer in life. I didn’t meet my husband until I was nearly 40 and then we had our daughter when I was nearly 42, so to be finally saying our “I dos” was an emotional time. It was very special.’
The couple’s child Maddie was conceived via IVF and Schilling was open about her struggles to conceive, having experienced a miscarriage before their daughter came along.
‘That really changed things,’ Schilling said, speaking to OK! Magazine about the miscarriage. ‘That was a real eye-opener and just made me realise how much I wanted a child. Both of us did.’
In the March post sharing her diagnosis, Schilling said of her husband and daughter: ‘These two beside me are my everything.’
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