Married at First Sight star Mel Schilling dies aged 53 following cancer diagnosis

Married at First Sight star Mel Schilling has died aged 53, just weeks after providing an update on her cancer diagnosis.

Sharing a statement on the TV star's Instagram page today (March 24), her husband Gareth wrote: "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."

The statement continued: "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."

Gareth went on to thank the team at Channel 4 and the production company behind MAFS, stating they went 'above and beyond for us'.

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."

Gareth concluded the Instagram post: "Goodbye, my love. My one. Until we meet again."

Mel revealed she had been diagnosed with colon cancer in December 2023 and stated the disease had spread to her lungs and the left side of her brain in an Instagram post earlier this month.

"Despite subsequent radiotherapy sessions, my oncology team have now told me there is nothing further they can do," the reality TV star said.

"My light is starting to fade - and quickly."

She first joined Married at First Sight in her home country of Australia in 2016, before also appearing on the UK version of the show.

Mel and Gareth tied the knot in 2018, but were together for around 15 years after meeting on a dating website. They lived in the UK with their 10-year-old daughter, Madison.

The overlooked signs of Mel's cancer

Mel previously opened up about the two overlooked signs of her cancer, which were 'blinding headaches' and 'numbness down my right side'.

"Over Christmas, however, I began experiencing blinding headaches and numbness down my right side," she explained to her fans in March when she made the heartbreaking announcement.

"After many tests I was told the cancer had spread to the left side of my brain and, despite subsequent radiotherapy sessions, my oncology team have now told me there is nothing further they can do."

The NHS explains that the symptoms of a malignant brain tumor (brain cancer) can vary depending on the type of tumur, where it is in the brain, what's causing it and how quickly it's growing.

Common symptoms of a brain tumor may include:

• New headaches, or headaches that are getting worse – these usually happen with other symptoms
• Feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting) when moving suddenly – this usually happens with other symptoms
• Fits (seizures)
• Eye problems that are getting worse, such as blurred vision, seeing dots and lines or flashes of light, or not being able to see out of the corners of your eyes
• Feeling sleepy or fainting (losing consciousness)
• Changes to behaviour or personality, such as problems with thinking and concentration

Common symptoms of colon cancer may include:

• Changes in your poo, such as having softer poo, diarrhoea or constipation that is not usual for you
• Needing to poo more or less often than usual for you
• Blood in your poo, which may look red or black
• Bleeding from your bottom
• Stomach pain
• A lump in your stomach
• Bloating
• Losing weight without trying

If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the American Cancer Society on 1-800-227-2345 or via their live chat feature, available 24/7 every day of the year.

If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell on (734) 975-0238, or email [email protected].