Married At First Sight icon Mel Schilling has died aged 54. The sad news comes just days after the dating coach told fans her ‘light was fading’ and she did not know how long she had left to live after revealing her cancer has spread to her brain. The relationship expert had been diagnosed with colon cancer in 2023.
The tragic news was shared by Mel’s husband Gareth Brisbane in a statement which began: “Melanie Jane Brisbane-Schilling passed away peacefully today, surrounded by love.” He praised Mel, with whom he shares daughter Maddie, for her bravery and compassion, saying she never complained about her pain and continued to film the dating show while undergoing rounds of chemotherapy.
Sharing his last goodbye with his wife, Gareth said: “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.
“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. I also want to thank our wonderful MAFS family — John, Alessandra, Charlene, Roxy, and Sophie — for your kindness and compassion. To Lee, Louie, Susy, and Ian at Channel 4 / CPL, who went above and beyond for us, we will never forget it. To Sarah at InterTalent, not just an agent, but a true confidante. 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. Goodbye, my love. My one. Until we meet again.”
Mel who had been part of the cast of the popular dating show MAFS since 2016, revealed she was diagnosed with colon cancer in December 2023. Earlier this month she shared with fans that the cancer had later spread to her lungs and now the left side of her brain.
“Despite subsequent radiotherapy sessions, my oncology team have now told me there is nothing further they can do,” she wrote. “My light is starting to fade – and quickly.”
Since her original diagnosis, the mum had undergone 16 rounds of chemotherapy while still filming for the show.
She had been told she was eligible for a “groundbreaking clinical trial specific to my gene type”, which was due to start this month but that she began experiencing “blinding headaches and numbness down my right side” last Christmas. “Simple tasks have become incredibly difficult,” said the star, adding “I honestly don’t know how long I have left, but I do know I will fight to my last breath.”
Mel first joined MAFS in her home country of Australia and later on the UK version of the show, which airs on E4, but announced last month that she was stepping away from the Australian show to prioritise her family and health.
Channel 4 paid tribute to the relationship coach, in a statement shared on Instagram, describing Schilling as someone who “radiated joy, warmth and optimism”.
The statement said: “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 energised 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, which makes Married At First Sight UK, said: “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.”
Mel’s Channel 4 co-star Anne Williamson shared a picture of them together, writing: “What a woman. A fighter til the end, an end that was far far too soon.
“All of our Channel 4 family are grieving the loss of Mel. She touched a lot of people on and off screen. As her E4 ‘stable mate’ and with a love of coaching others and juggling being telly mums we naturally gravitated towards each other, held a deep respect for each other and became friends.
“Mel was always optimistic in spirit about her cancer diagnosis and fight for recovery. She never complained when she’d message, and was always putting in the fight for her Gareth and Maddie.
“Many people were touched by Mel and benefited from her badass approach to life, her work and her family and I know that legacy will continue. And it’s her beautiful family who my heart goes out to in particular, I can only imagine the pain at her loss, the sheer love and pride she had for her Gareth & Maddie was off the charts!! A fiercely proud wife and mama.”
Genevieve Edwards, Chief Executive of Bowel Cancer UK, said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of Mel Schilling’s death and send our heartfelt condolences to her family and loved ones. Mel’s courage in speaking so openly about bowel cancer, from her diagnosis through to treatment and everything in between, has already made a profound difference.
“By sharing her story, she has helped raise vital awareness and encouraged countless people to listen to their bodies and contact their GP when something doesn’t feel right. That message has the power to save lives. Every 12 minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with bowel cancer, making it the UK’s fourth most common cancer.
“If you’re experiencing symptoms of bowel cancer like bleeding from your bottom, blood in your poo or a change in your pooing habits, please contact your GP to ask for an at-home test.”
