Channel 4 has posted a heartfelt message honouring Mel Schilling, the Married At First Sight relationship expert who has died at the age of 54.
The Australian appeared on the programme with audiences in both Britain and Australia holding her in high regard.
According to a statement posted on her Instagram account by her husband Gareth Brisbane, Schilling passed away on Tuesday.
The television personality, recognised for providing relationship guidance on the popular Channel 4 reality series, had announced on Instagram in March that her cancer had spread, including to the left side of her brain, and that there was nothing further medical professionals could do to treat it.
She disclosed that she completed 16 sessions of chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy while working on the show.
Schilling had earlier revealed her intention to step away from the Australian edition of the programme after serving 12 seasons on the expert panel.
The Instagram statement described how Melanie Jane Brisbane-Schilling passed away peacefully, surrounded by love. According to the statement, in her final moments, when it seemed cancer had taken away her ability to speak, she ushered her husband closer and whispered a message for Maddie and him that would sustain him for the rest of his life. It took all of her remaining strength, and that gesture summed up their wee Melsie perfectly. Even then, her only thought was for Maddie and him. The statement noted that this was a woman who became a new mum and a TV star at 42 and nailed both. This was 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 people, she was Mel Schilling, matriarch of MAFS and queen of reality TV. To Maddie and him, she was their wee Melsie: an incredible mum, role model and soulmate. On behalf of their family and her incredible friendship group, he thanked people for the support from around the world.
The statement continued that life can be beautiful, and life can be incredibly cruel. But ultimately, life is fleeting, fragile, and tomorrow is promised to no one. If people could do anything to honour Mel, they should live life to the full, love their people well, and try not to sweat the small stuff. He had 15 wonderful years with his soulmate, and it was the privilege of his life to be by her side. For that, he said he would be forever thankful.
Channel 4 moved quickly to share their own tribute to Mel, saying that all of them at Channel 4 were incredibly saddened by the news of Mel’s death. Their thoughts and condolences were, first and foremost, with her family and loved ones. They felt privileged to be the channel that was home to Mel’s work, which was at the heart of Married at First Sight’s phenomenal success, both in the UK and Australia. It reflected so much about her, including her fierce advocacy for other women, her passion for healthy relationships and her mission to unite people in love. Just as importantly, they wanted to pay tribute to Mel as a person. For many who worked for Channel 4, Mel was not just a colleague but a friend, someone who radiated joy, warmth and optimism, who energised every room she walked into with humour and positivity. Everyone who knew her would miss all this about her and much more. They shared in the sorrow that they were sure many viewers would now feel at this terrible loss.
This Morning and The Great British Bake Off presenter Alison Hammond responded to the post offering condolences to her family and describing it as a massive loss and saying rest in peace to her friend.
On the Instagram post on Mel’s account, fans and former contestants of the show left messages of sympathy. One admirer wrote that it was so sad and expressed being terribly sorry for the loss and sent lots of love to them all. A former contestant on the Australian edition of the show, Nicolas Jovanovic, posted that he hoped she would rest in peace. Fellow relationship expert Natalie Russell wrote that it was so heartbreaking and sent so much love and prayers to them all. Former British contestant Hannah Norburn commented that her heart broke for all the family and described what a gorgeous incredible woman she was. She noted that she would be so missed and so loved.