Mel Schilling death latest: Married at First Sight co-star ‘distraught’ as tributes pour in after coach dies – UK Times

Elizabeth Day, who co-hosted the How To Date podcast with Schilling, wrote about the effect the dating expert had on her.

“I never understood the truth of the phrase ‘she lights up a room’ until I met Mel,” Day wrote. “There was an inner radiance to her; a spark; a dazzle. It wasn’t just the smile or the obvious beauty. It wasn’t just the sequins she loved or the glittery eyeshadow. It was deeper than that. It was the generosity that accompanied it.”

“She wanted others to shine, to feel special and to be loved. To be in her company was to feel anything was possible.”

“Like many of you, I fell in love with Mel on Married At First Sight. Her insights on the couch were always brilliantly delivered, with insight and compassion. But when someone needed calling to account, she did it. She was strong. And yet her strength has an elegance to it.”

“The recipients of Mel’s arched eyebrow would always deserve it. They would be the bullies, the misogynists, the narcissists. And she did it so well! A victim would often have no idea their nastiness had been filleted from them like bones from a Dover sole by a particularly expert waiter.”

Ella Morgan, who took part in MAFS UK in 2023 as the first transgender bride, remembered Schilling as “brave, resilient, beautiful, inspiring and iconic.”

She wrote: “You inspired so many, taught so many, loved so many, and for that we are all grateful, but you are equally so loved and will be incredibly missed by millions.”

“You had a heart so big and full of kindness, a wicked sense of humour and a smile that lit up any room.”

MAFS star Davide Anica, who appeared on the tenth UK series of the show, shared a photo of Schilling on Instagram captioned: “Rest in peace angel you will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with Mel’s family.”

April Banbury, who took part in the 2022 series, wrote: “So heartbreaking. sending so much love and many prayers to you all during this time. Mel will always be remembered for the amazing strong woman she was. Rest in peace Mel.”

Celebs Go Dating star Anna Williamson has opened up about her friendship with Mel Schilling in light of the MAFS expert’s death.

Taking to Instagram, Williamson wrote: “What a woman. A fighter til the end, an end that was far far too soon.

“All of our Channel 4 family are grieving the loss of Mel. She touched a lot of people on and off screen. As her E4 ‘stable mate’ and with a love of coaching others and juggling being telly mums we naturally gravitated towards each other, held a deep respect for each other and became friends.”

She added that Schilling was “always optimistic in spirit” and “a fiercely proud wife and mama”. She continued: “Many people were touched by Mel and benefited from her badass approach to life, her work and her family and I know that legacy will continue.”

Married at First Sight UK star Charlene Douglas says she will “forever treasure the laughter” she shared with Mel Schilling as she pays tribute to the relationship expert.

Sex and relationships therapist Douglas appeared on the MAFS UK panel alongside Schilling and fellow expert Paul C Brunson since 2021.

Sharing a post on Instagram, Douglas wrote: “I’m both devastated and heartbroken to hear of the passing of my MAFS queen and friend Mel.

“I had the pleasure of spending time with Mel in her last days and will forever treasure the laughter, the memories and love we had for each other.Mel’s love for life, jokes and of course dancing will forever stay in my heart. What I wouldn’t give to be dancing to Beyoncé with you right now. Sleep in perfect peace Mel. Love you.”

The MAFS UK star was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2023, having revealed that initial symptoms were brushed off by doctors. With the TV personality having urged fans to get themselves checked out “if something doesn’t feel right” before her death, you should look out for bowel changes, blood in your stool, pain or lumps in your stomach, weight loss and unexplained tiredness.

Mel Schilling’s MAFS Australia co-star John Aiken has shared an emotional tribute to the relationship expert, saying that he’s “distraught” over her loss.

“I am heartbroken, devastated and finding it hard to breathe,” he wrote on Instagram. “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.

“It’s not fair that my partner in crime is gone. She was one of the good ones. I am unravelling just thinking about it. I wanted to sit on our couch together forever. She knew my rhythms and I knew hers. But it’s simply not to be.”

He ended the tribute by thanking Schilling for the last decade, adding: “I love you and I miss you gorgeous.”

The MAFS star was diagnosed with colon cancer in December 2023, revealing that she was “doubled over in pain” while filming Married at First Sight Australia – but mistook the symptom for jet lag.

After being diagnosed, Schilling underwent surgery to have a tumour removed before being treated with chemotherapy. While she was given the “all clear” shortly afterwards, doctors found “small nodules” in her lungs in February 2024 – with the cancer metastasising.

“Over the past two years, while filming MAFS, I underwent 16 rounds of chemotherapy and was later told I was eligible for a groundbreaking clinical trial specific to my gene type, due to start in March 2026,” she wrote on Instagram.

Earlier this month, she confirmed that the cancer had spread to the left side of her brain and that despite undergoing radiotherapy, there was “nothing further” doctors could do.

A number of British TV stars have paid tribute to Mel Schilling online, with This Morning’s Alison Hammond writing: “Condolences to her family . A massive loss . RIP my friend.”

Strictly Come Dancing’s Vicky Pattison commented on the tribute posted by Schilling’s husband: “Absolutely heartbreaking. A beautiful woman inside and out… my thoughts are with your family and friends.”

TV presenter Carol Vorderman added: “So very sorry for your immense loss. The world is a sadder place today.”

While All Saints singer Natalie Appleton commented: “I am absolutely devastated to hear this news. God bless your precious Mel. I’m sending so much love from all my family to yours.”

Australian channel Nine, which airs the country’s version of MAFS, has issued a statement on Mel Schilling’s death.

“All of us at Nine are deeply saddened by the loss of Mel Schilling,” Executive Director – Entertainment, Streaming & Broadcasting, Michael Healy, wrote.

“Mel was a wonderful colleague and friend. She had a gift for connecting with people and helping them navigate life’s challenges. For years, she guided us through the complexities of the human heart with wisdom, honesty, and kindness.

“Mel was a big part of our family, and she will be greatly missed. Our hearts and deepest sympathies are with her husband Gareth, their daughter Maddie and her entire family during this incredibly difficult time.”