Mel Schilling is stepping away from Married At First Sight after 12 years on the show.
The longtime expert, who has been part of the experiment panel since season two, revealed on Tuesday that she would no longer be a familiar face on the beloved reality TV series.
In a heartfelt statement shared to Instagram, the 54-year-old psychologist and matchmaker revealed that she was taking some time away from the series to prioritise her “family, health and time”.
“After 12 extraordinary seasons, I have made the heartfelt decision to step away from my role as an expert on Married At First Sight Australia,” she captioned a clip, which showed some of her biggest on-screen moments over the years.
“This hasn’t been a choice I’ve made lightly. In recent years, my health challenges and living in the UK spending up to three months a year away from my family is no longer sustainable.”
She went on: “It has become clear that I must make a change that puts my family, health and time at the very centre of my life.”
Looking back on how far Married At First Sight has come since its inception, Schilling revealed that she felt “truly privileged” to have seen the series grow from small social experiment to global phenomenon, adding that she was “incredibly grateful to the fans, the production team, and my fellow experts”.
She finished off the post, writing: “I am leaving not with sadness, but with a deep sense of gratitude for everything we’ve achieved together. Stepping away from the Australian series is the right move for my future, though I look forward to continuing my work with Married at First Sight UK. Thank you for being part of this chapter with me.”
Adrian Swift, Nine’s Head of Content, Production and Development, reflected on Schilling’s major role in the show’s meteoric rice and popularity with Aussie audiences.
“Mel has been on the Married at First Sight journey from season two. She helped us define the show in the early days and always brought her incredible insight and empathy to both the matching process and to the commitment ceremony couch,” he penned in a statement.
He went on to note that her enthusiasm to “find the best match for hundreds of Aussies” will never be forgotten.
“All of us at Nine hugely value her contribution to the nation’s most-watched television series but we understand the pull of her home in the UK and wish her continued success on MAFS UK.”
Both of Schilling’s fellow experts took to social media to gush about her time on the show.
John Aiken dubbed her a “remarkable woman, my dear friend and colleague” before admitting he could not have “survived” his MAFS experience without her.
“I have treasured being able to lean on Mel throughout this intense reality juggernaut journey, and to share so many laughs along the way with her.”
Alessandra Rampolla also shared a few sweet words in the wake of her co-star’s exit announcement, praising her “steady voice for compassion, accountability, and a true believer in the possibility of love.”
“Six seasons side by side — countless dinner parties, hard conversations, and unforgettable moments that only John, you and I will ever truly understand,” she shared.
“Your legacy on this show is undeniable, and the impact you’ve made — on me and on so many others — will live on far beyond the screen.”
Schilling relocated to London in 2021 to join the Married At First Sight UK expert panel. She now lives there with her husband Gareth Brisbane and her 10-year-old daughter Maddie.
However, the reality show star faced a major health battle shortly after her move, being diagnosed with colon cancer in December 2023.
Not long after, she underwent keyhole surgery to have a cancerous tumour removed.
In January last year, Schilling announced that she was in remission.