Former MAFS (Married At First Sight) star Lucinda Light has responded to rumours she is replacing Mel Schilling as an expert on the show, after Schilling announced her shock departure last month.
Mel, who first joined the show in season two in 2016, revealed her decision in a press statement, saying her health and her family had compelled her to officially wrap up her 10-year stint on the show.
“This hasn’t been a choice I’ve made lightly. My health challenges and living in the UK, spending up to three months a year away from my family, is no longer sustainable,” Mel said.
“It has become clear that I must make a change that puts my family, health and time at the very centre of my life.”
With Mel’s time on the show concluding at the end of this season, MAFS fans are naturally wondering who’ll take her place in the expert chair.
That’s where Lucinda, the breakout star from the 2024 season, comes in.
In viewers’ minds, Lucinda sits atop the list of names to replace Mel, since she is one of MAFS’ enduring stars and remains beloved in the fandom years after leaving TV screens.
Plus, she famously had a rough go of it during her season 11 marriage to Timothy Smith, so who better to bring that experience to the fore in service of a batch of MAFS newcomers?
“Since the news dropped, I’ve had a wave of gorgeous messages asking if I’d consider stepping into [Mel’s] role,” Lucinda told PEDESTRIAN.TV.
“I’m deeply touched and truly mean that — the faith people have in me is not lost on me.”
While Lucinda is grateful her name is even floating around in the chatter, fans shouldn’t hold their breath about her reappearing at a Commitment Ceremony.
She’s currently in the UK filming another dating show, and the busy schedule leaves little room for her to don the expert hat.
“Let’s be honest, I’m very single, and I’m currently in London filming Celebs Go Dating,” Lucinda said. “[I’m] very much in student mode. I’m learning, unlearning, stretching, laughing at myself and soaking up wisdom.”
The news might be disheartening for diehard fans, but in true Lucinda fashion, she wished both Mel and Channel 9 well as they go about finding a new expert.
“It’s been a real heart-tug hearing that Mel is stepping away. What a force. What a woman. She leaves very big shoes to fill,” Lucinda said.
“I’m sending Mel big love for her next chapter, and I have no doubt the brilliant execs and casting team at Channel 9 have someone fabulous waiting in the wings for this mighty, meaningful role.”
Lucinda wasn’t the only one rumoured to be filling Mel’s shoes. According to Woman’s Day, Belinda ‘Love’ Rygier is another name apparently being eyed for the role. She has reality TV experience as a contestant on Matty J’s season of The Bachelor, and she’s also a love coach and public speaker.
Belinda declined to comment when approached by PEDESTRIAN.TV.
MAFS has not yet confirmed who’ll be replacing Mel, so any details about a new expert are just speculative at this stage. Mel will leave behind fellow experts John Aiken and Alessandra Rampolla, who joined the show in 2015 and 2021, respectively.
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Lead images: Channel 9
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