Presenter and relationship expert Mel Schilling, known for her role in the reality show Married at First Sight, has passed away at the age of 54 after a long battle with cancer.
As communicated by her husband Gareth on social media, Schilling passed away "peacefully and surrounded by love" after almost two years of treatment for colon cancer that had spread to her lungs and brain.
The therapist and relationship coach, a familiar face on both the Australian and British versions of the show, had become a well-known figure in international television since joining the show in 2016.
Her illness became public in 2023, when she was diagnosed after a tumor was detected. Although initially given the all-clear, the cancer reappeared months later and progressively worsened despite chemotherapy and radiotherapy sessions.
Just a few weeks ago, Schilling revealed that the disease was in the terminal stage and that doctors could no longer offer her treatment, in a message urging the public to undergo medical check-ups for any symptoms.
Her passing has sparked an outpouring of reactions in the television world and among fans of the show, who remember her as a approachable, charismatic, and dedicated professional committed to helping people in their relationships.
Schilling leaves behind her husband and her 10-year-old daughter, Maddie. Her legacy is tied to over two decades dedicated to studying human behavior and promoting personal relationships, both on television and beyond.