Married at First Sight expert John Aiken has shared an emotional tribute to longtime MAFS co-star Mel Schilling after she tragically revealed her cancer is terminal last week.
Schilling, who is an expert on both the Australian and UK version of MAFS, took to social media to share that her colon cancer, diagnosed in 2023, had since spread to her lungs and brain, with doctors telling her “there is nothing further they can do”.
Aiken addressed the heartbreaking update in a clip that aired ahead of a UK broadcast of MAFS Australia, saying the support she’d received from fans has “been truly moving”.
“The incredible outpouring of love and support from every corner of the globe is a testament to the woman we all know and admire,” Aiken said.
Aiken added that he will be stepping in for his “dear friend and colleague” as a MAFS UK expert as she “focuses on her health”.
“We’ve always known Mel to be a woman of incredible grace and kindness, but the way she’s allowed us all in with such honesty during this time has truly reinforced why she is so loved,” Aiken said.
He continued: “My heart is with our dear colleague and friend, as she focuses on her health. We’ve always known Mel to be a woman of incredible grace and kindness, but the way she’s allowed us all in with such honesty during this time has truly reinforced why she is so loved.”
Aiken also sent his love to Schilling’s family, including her husband Gareth and daughter Maddie, saying his co-expert is “isn’t just a colleague, she is family”.
Channel 4, which airs MAFS UK, revealed Aiken as Schilling’s replacement for the new season in a social media post last week, saying the swap was made with “Mel’s blessing”.
“All of us at Channel 4 are immeasurably saddened by the news about Mel’s health, and are sending all of our love and support to Mel and her family,” Channel 4 wrote.
It comes soon after Schilling, a MAFS Australia expert since its second season in 2016, announced her departure from the show last month.
She said the decision was made to “put my family [and] health at the very centre of my life”.
“This hasn’t been a choice I’ve made lightly. In recent years, my health challenges and living in the UK spending up to three months a year away from my family is no longer sustainable,” she said.
Schilling still appears on the currently airing season of MAFS Australia, which is expected to wrap up early next month.
Lead images: Channel 4 and Instagram
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