Married At First Sight relationship coach Mel Schilling has died aged 54, her family has announced.
Schilling died on Tuesday, according to a statement shared on her Instagram account.
The statement said: “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 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.
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“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.”
The statement 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.”
Schilling leaves behind her husband, Gareth Brisbane, from Whitehead, Northern Ireland, and a 10-year-old daughter, Maddie.
The TV star, known for offering relationship advice on the hit Channel 4 reality dating show, said on Instagram earlier in March that her cancer had spread, including to the left side of her brain, and that there was “nothing further” doctors could do to treat it.
She explained that she underwent 16 rounds of chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy during filming for Mafs.
Schilling had previously announced she would be stepping back from the Australian version of the programme after 12 seasons on the expert panel.
Channel 4 paid tribute to the relationship coach in a statement shared on Instagram, describing Schilling as someone who “radiated joy, warmth and optimism”.
Mel Shilling revealed her diagnosis in an Instagram post on Friday. Credit: Instagram/@mel_schilling1
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”.
Schilling’s MAFS co-presenter, John Aiken, described Mel as a “dear friend”, adding that he was “heartbroken, devastated and finding it hard to breathe.”
“She came into my life 10 years ago and together we rode this MAFS 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.”
The post continues: “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 “
Writer Elizabeth Day said: “What a woman. What a radiant, shining light. How grateful I am to have known her. How grateful I am to you, Gaz, and to Maddie for being the loves of her life.
“I love you all so much. Thank you for the gift of your friendship. And thank you most of all to Mel. Our girl.”
TV presenter Alison Hammond also paid tribute and commented on a separate post: “Condolences to her family. A massive loss. RIP my friend”.
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