The Married at First Sight relationship coach Mel Schilling has died aged 54, only weeks after announcing that doctors could no longer treat her cancer.
Schilling – known for offering relationship advice on both the Australian and the UK 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 further” 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 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.
“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.”
Schilling explained earlier in March that she underwent 16 rounds of chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy during filming for Mafs. She had previously announced she would be stepping back from the Australian version of the programme after 12 seasons on the expert panel.
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.
“On behalf of our family and her incredible friendship group, thank you for the support from around the world.”
“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.”
The post was flooded with tributes and comments of support including from Fearne Cotton, Alison Hammond, radio presenter Harriet Rose, and Love Island star Ekin Su.
Author Elizabeth Day, who hosted the How To Date podcast with Schilling, paid tribute on Instagram.
“What a woman. What a radiant, shining light,” she wrote. “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.”
Schilling’s Australian co-star John Aiken said it was “not fair that my partner in crime is gone”, adding: “She was one of the good ones. I am unravelling just thinking about it. I wanted to sit on our couch together forever.”
Several former Mafs contestants paid tribute to her impact on their lives.
Michael Brunelli, who has just had a second baby with wife Martha Kalifatidis, who he met on the show, said: “Rest in peace Mel. Thank you for everything you did for Martha and I. We’ll talk about you when our kids ask how we met.”
Tayah Aveling, who met husband Adam on the programme, told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I don’t think we would be together if it wasn’t for her. She played such a massive part in putting us together, and I think she knew that we were going to be a couple that would go the distance. I think that they could really see that, and it’s all credit to her.”
“You were so genuinely caring to us on the show and we’ll always be grateful for it. Thank you for everything.” Jesse Konstantinoff wrote online. “You were always so kind and nice to me during filming and continued even years after my experience on the show, my thoughts and prayers are with your family and loved ones.”
Michael Healy, executive director at the show’s Australian broadcaster Nine, said the network was “deeply saddened”, while UK broadcaster Channel 4 described Schilling as someone who “radiated joy, warmth and optimism”, adding: “We share in the sorrow that we’re sure many viewers will now feel at this terrible loss.”
Press Association contributed to this report
