Married at First Sight star Mel Schilling dies at 54 | Australian media

Mel Schilling, the relationship coach on The Married at First Sight, has died at the age of 54, just weeks after declaring that doctors could no longer cure cancer.

Schilling – known for dishing out relationship advice on the Australian and British versions of the hit reality dating show – died on Tuesday “surrounded by love”, according to a family statement.

The Australian TV star announced earlier in March that her cancer had spread, including to the left side of her brain, and that there was “nothing else” doctors could do to treat it.

A statement from her husband, Gareth, said: “Melanie Jane Brisbane Schilling passed away peacefully today, surrounded by love.

“In her final moments, when she thought the cancer had taken away her ability to speak, she came close to me and whispered to Maddie and me a message that would sustain me for the rest of my life.

“It took all her remaining strength, and that gesture summed up our little Melsey perfectly.

“Until then, her only thoughts were Maddie and I. This woman is a new mother and a TV star at the age of 42 — and she’s done both.

“This is a woman who, during two years of chemotherapy, when she could barely lift her head from the pillow, never complained, never stopped showing courage, grace, compassion, and empathy, and never missed a single day of filming.

“For most of you, she was Mel Schilling – MAFs’ mama and reality TV queen. To Maddie and I, she was little Melsie: a wonderful mother, role model, and soulmate.”

Schilling explained earlier in March that she underwent 16 rounds of chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy while filming Mafs. She had previously announced that she would be stepping back from the Australian version of the show after 12 seasons in the panel of experts.

The statement continued: “Life can be beautiful, and it can be incredibly cruel. But in the end, life is fleeting and fragile, and no one is promised tomorrow.”

“On behalf of our amazing family and friendship group, thank you for the support from around the world.”

“If you can do anything to honor Mel, please live life to the fullest, love your people well, and try not to sweat the small things.

“I spent 15 amazing years with my soulmate, and it was the honor of my life to be by her side. For that, I will be forever grateful. Goodbye, my love. My love. Until we meet again.”

The post was filled with tributes and comments of support including from Fearn Cotton, Alison Hammond, radio presenter Harriet Rose and Love Island star Ekin Sow.

Writer Elizabeth Day, who hosts the podcast How To Date with Schilling, paid tribute on Instagram.

“What a woman. Such a bright, shining light,” she wrote. “How grateful I am to have known her. How grateful I am to you, Jazz, and to Maddie for being the love of her life. I love you all so much. Thank you for the gift of your friendship. And thank you most of all for Mel. Our girl.”

Schilling’s Australian co-star, John Aiken, said it was “not fair for my partner in crime to disappear,” adding: “She was one of the good ones. I’m falling apart just thinking about it. I wanted to sit on our couch together forever.”

Many former Mafs contestants have praised her influence on their lives.

Michael Brunelli, who has just had a second child with wife Martha Kalifatidis, whom he met on the show, said: “Rest in peace, Mel. Thank you for everything you’ve done for Martha and I. We’ll talk about you when our kids ask how we met.”

Taya Aveling, who met her husband Adam on the show, told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I don’t think we would have been together if it wasn’t for her. She played a huge role in bringing us together, and I think she knew we would be a couple that would go the distance. I think they were able to really see that, and all the credit for that to her.”

“You genuinely cared about us on the show and we will always be grateful for that. Thank you for everything.” Jesse Konstantinov wrote online. “You were always so kind and kind to me during filming and continue even years after my experience on the show. My thoughts and prayers are with your family and loved ones.”

Michael Healy, chief executive of Australia’s Radio Nine, which broadcasts the programme, said the network was “deeply saddened”, while Britain’s Channel 4 described Schilling as someone who “radiates joy, warmth and optimism”, adding: “We share the grief because we are sure many viewers will now feel this devastating loss.”

The Press Association contributed to this report