Married At First Sight star died in London, surrounded by love', after saying her goodbyes to her close friends during a series of visits in her final week.
The Australian psychologist-turned-dating expert, 54, had split her time between the UK and her home in Australia after joining the British spin-off of the popular dating show in 2016.
She stepped down from the Australian show last year after 12 seasons, choosing to spend her final months at the London home she shared with her husband of eight years, Gareth, and their daughter Maddie, ten.
Mel was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2023 and received treatment, including chemotherapy in the UK whilst she filmed a series of . She announced that 'after a tumour the size of a lemon' was successfully removed in 2023 that she had been given the all clear.
But in a lengthy Instagram post last week, she revealed that she found out her cancer had metastasised to her lungs in February 2024, and over 2025 it was discovered it had spread to her brain.
Mel's Northern Irish husband Gareth confirmed the news of her death on Instagram on Tuesday in a statement in which he spoke about her final words to her daughter.
'In her final moments, when I thought 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,' Gareth wrote.
Married At First Sight star Mel Schilling died in London 'surrounded by love', after saying her goodbyes to her close friends during a series of visits in her final week (pictured with husband Gareth and daughter Maddie)
Mel was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2023, and received treatment including chemotherapy in the UK whilst she filmed a series of MAFS UK; Pictured during treatment in December 2023
'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.'
Mel's close friend and podcast co-star Elizabeth Day wrote about her final visit last week, recalling how Mel called her 'my girl, and we squeezed each other's hands,' and added that 'I'm so blessed that I got to see her the week before she died.'
Mel's fellow expert on MAFS UK Charlene Douglas also visited her at home shortly before her death, as she wrote in her tribute: 'I had the pleasure of spending time with Mel in her last days and will forever treasure the laughter, the memories and love we had for each other.'
Mel's husband posted a lengthy tribute to her as he announced her passing on Tuesday, writing that '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 . 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.
Married At First Sight star Mel has tragically died aged 54, her husband Gareth revealed in a statement on Instagram on Tuesday, alongside a series of beautiful images of her
Mel is well known for being a no-nonsense dating expert on Married At First Sight
Mel's husband Gareth shared this picture of them and wrote: 'Melanie Jane Brisbane-Schilling passed away peacefully today, surrounded by love' - Mel had revealed the cancer had spread to her brain just days ago
Gareth added: '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' - pictured with Gareth and daughter Maddie, who is now aged 10
Gareth's beautiful statement in full to his wife as he penned: 'Goodbye, my love. My one. Until we meet again'
'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 added: '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 helmed the expert panel of the Australian franchise for 12 seasons and also appeared in five series of the UK version on Channel 4.
But she had announced she would be stepping back from filming earlier this year, in order to prioritise her family and health.
Australian expert John Aiken stepped in to replace her for the remainder of the latest UK series, as filming was underway.
Mel first revealed that she had been diagnosed with colon cancer in December 2023, and she had to have surgery to remove a 5cm tumour.
Mel has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology as well as a Graduate Diploma in Psychology.
She had been a practising psychologist for more than 20 years and began her career in 1998 as a Consulting Psychologist at Morgan and Banks.
In 2001, she took on a role as Senior Consulting Psychologist with Personnel Decisions International and went into consulting as a Consulting Psychologist for Extraversion Consulting.
Mel, who has a net worth of £1million, also worked as an actress, gaining an unexpected credit in Neighbours before she was cast in MAFS and also starred in the procedural cop show, Blue Heelers, which ran from 1993 to 2006.
Mel's MAFS co-star , who starred on the UK and Australia versions of the show with Mel for ten years, led the tributes with a heartbreaking message about his 'partner in '.
Alongside photos of one of their first TV appearances together, alongside one of their last, John wrote: 'Where it began and where it ended.
'It’s with great sadness and heavy heart that today I lost my dear friend and fellow MAFS expert Mel Schilling. I am heartbroken, devastated and finding it hard to breathe.
'She came into my life 10 years ago and together we rode this juggernaut, being there for one another through it all. Nothing could prepare us for what lay ahead, but she was always in the fox hole with me.
Mel pictured with Gareth on their wedding day
'It was a privilege and an honor to sit beside her on the MAFS couch and watch her shine. She was warm, supportive and honest, and she deeply cared about all our participants. I had a front row seat to her remarkable skills and she truly believed in the experiment. At her core she loved love ❤️
'And behind the scenes we had so much fun. Before going on set we would sing, dance, face time her daughter and eat lollies. Every time I came to set she would squeal, jump out of her chair and run and embrace me - squeezing me tight.
'And through all of these years she was an amazing mother and wife. She was loving, committed, loyal, fun and so very very kind. And she always had as her driving force her family. She was a role model for all to see.
'And when her illness struck she never complained. She kept her challenges to herself and continued to deliver time and time again. She was an inspiration, a fighter, a leader.
'It’s not fair that my partner in crime is gone. She was one of the good ones. I am unravelling just thinking about it. I wanted to sit on our couch together forever. She knew my rhythms and I knew hers. But it’s simply not to be.
'Dearest Mel - I want to thank you for everything you have given me over the past decade. I am distraught. Sadly and devastatingly I have to accept that you are now gone.
Mel's MAFS co-star of ten years John Aiken, led tributes to the star with a heartbreaking message about his 'partner in crime'
Alongside photos of one of their first TV appearances together alongside one of their last, John wrote: 'Where it began and where it ended'
'The MAFS universe weeps, as does all your dearest family and friends. Particularly, all my love and prayers go to Gareth and Maddie - we have all been blessed to have known her. I love you and I miss you gorgeous. xx.'
Channel 4 paid tribute to Mel on Tuesday, writing: '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 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, who make Married at First Sight UK added: '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.'
Mel's fellow dating expert on MAFS UK Charlene Douglas wrote that she was 'devastated'.
She penned: 'Gareth, know that Mel loved you and Maddie beyond words. Always here for you if you need anything. To my darling Mel - rest in eternal peace. Love you.'
MAFS UK star Laura Vaughan added: 'Darling Mel. To say you were an inspiration to many would fall incredibly short. You were a beacon of light to all who knew you, loved you and watched you around the world.
'To know you is to be in awe of you. I remember us talking about your cancer diagnosis backstage on a campaign shoot, you grabbed my hand and with a wink you said "I'm a fighter, don't you worry" and that's exactly what you were.
'I feel so privileged to have met you, worked with you and experienced firsthand the kindness you gave in abundance. It embodied you. This world is a lonelier place without you in it. Thoughts are with your family and those close to you. Rest easy now.'
Fellow MAFS dating expert Charlene Douglas shared her condolences
A long list of celebrities and MAFS contestants immediately took to the comments to express their condolences
Elizabeth Day, Mel's friend who she co-hosted the How To Date podcast with, wrote a lengthy statement on Instagram and shared this picture of the day Mel found out her cancer had returned, taken on Valentine's Day
MAFS contestant Davide Anica was among the first to pay tribute to Mel
Friends, colleagues and fans of Mel paid tribute to 'a beacon of light' following her death at the age of 54; Pictured Mel with MAFS UK star Laura Vaughan
Channel 4, which airs MAFS series in the UK, released a poignant statement, paying tribute to 'our friend who radiated joy, warmth and optimism'
MAFS star Davide Anica wrote: 'Rest in peace angel. You will be missed. My throught and prayers are with @mel_schilling1 family.'
Sophie Ellis-Bextor penned: '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'
Celebs Go Dating coach and friend of Mel's Anna Williamson wrote: '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 eachother, held a deep respect for eachother 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 ❤️ Rest now my friend. Thanks for the always cheery voicenotes "just because".'
Fearne Cotton posted a string of heart emojis and good friend Bryony Gordon wrote, 'I'm so sorry to hear this. Sending much love to you all xxxx.'
MAFS star Matt Pilmoor wrote: 'Heart breaking, such an incredible lady. Thoughts to all her family and friends.'
