Married At First Sight star Mel Schilling has died aged 54 after a battle with cancer.
The Australian dating expert was first diagnosed with colon cancer in December 2023. Her tumour was removed and she was given the all-clear, although the disease returned and spread to her lungs and brain.
She revealed earlier this month that her cancer was now terminal and that she didn’t know “how long she had left”.
Her husband Gareth Brisbane said in a statement on Tuesday: “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 [their daughter] 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.”
Brisbane - who shares 10-year-old daughter Maddie with Schilling - went on: “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.
“And to the wonderful Elizabeth Day — Mel’s podcasting partner and dear friend — thank you for your friendship and empathy.”
He continued: “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.”
Brisbane concluded: “Goodbye, my love. My one. Until we meet again.”
The Australian couple, who married in Bali in 2020 after meeting on a dating website in their 30s, and they welcomed their daughter in November 2015. They moved to the UK in 2021.
Schilling underwent 16 rounds of chemotherapy to battle colon cancer over the past two years while continuing to film both the Australian and UK versions of MAFS.
In a recent update shared with fans, she said her cancer was now terminal and doctors had told her there were no further treatment options.
Sharing a photo of her hugging Brisbane and Maddie on Instagram, she wrote: “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.”
The presenter added: “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.”
She signed off: “With love and gratitude, Mel.”
The TV star stepped back from the Australian version of MAFS in February after 12 seasons on the expert panel.
In a previous statement shared online, Channel 4 said MAFS Australia expert John Aiken will step in to replace Schilling for the remainder of the UK series, which is currently being filmed.
Paying tribute to Schilling, Channel 4 said in statement: “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 energized 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.”
CPL Productions, who make Married at First Sight UK, said: “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 on-screen 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.”
