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<\/p>\nMarried At First Sight expert Mel Schilling has died aged 54, just days after she shared that her cancer had spread to her brain and said she didn’t know how long she had left<\/p>\n
Lucy Needham Deputy Head of Showbiz and Oliver Radcliffe Live News Reporter<\/p>\n
11:39, 24 Mar 2026Updated 11:46, 24 Mar 2026<\/p>\n
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Married at First Sight’s Mel Schilling (centre) has died aged 54(Image: Channel 9)<\/p>\n
MAFS star Mel Schilling has tragically passed away at the age of 54. A statement from her husband read: “Melanie Jane Brisbane-Schilling passed away peacefully today, surrounded by love.”<\/p>\n
The heartbreaking news arrives just days after the relationship expert revealed she didn’t know how much time she had left, following the spread of her cancer<\/a> to her brain, reports the Mirror<\/a>.<\/p>\n In a statement, Mel’s husband Gareth Brisbane 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.”<\/p>\n “This is a woman who became a new mum and a TV<\/a> 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.”<\/p>\n “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.”<\/p>\n Mel’s family announced the news today(Image: @mel_schilling1\/Instagram)<\/p>\n “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.”<\/p>\n The news comes just days after the dating coach said she did not how long she had left to live after revealing her cancer has spread to her brain.<\/p>\n Gareth continued said: “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.<\/p>\n “And to the wonderful Elizabeth Day – Mel’s podcasting partner and dear friend – thank you for your friendship and empathy. 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.<\/p>\n “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.”<\/p>\n Mel, who had been a member of the cast of the popular dating programme MAFS since 2016, disclosed she was diagnosed with bowel cancer<\/a> in December 2023.<\/p>\n Mel had been a feature of MAFS around the world(Image: mel_schilling1\/Instagram)<\/p>\n Earlier this month she informed fans that the cancer had subsequently spread to her lungs and then the left side of her brain.<\/p>\n “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.”<\/p>\n Since her initial diagnosis, the mum had undergone 16 rounds of chemotherapy whilst continuing to film for the programme. She had been informed that she was suitable for a “groundbreaking clinical trial specific to my gene type”, which was scheduled to commence this month, but she started suffering from “blinding headaches and numbness down my right side” last Christmas.<\/p>\n “Simple tasks have become incredibly difficult,” the star confessed, adding: “I honestly don’t know how long I have left, but I do know I will fight to my last breath.”<\/p>\n Mel initially joined MAFS in her native Australia and later on the UK version of the programme, which is broadcast on E4, but revealed last month that she was stepping back from the Australian show to focus on her family and health<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"An](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0_Mel-Schilling.jpg\")
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