Married At First Sight UK fans were delighted to see resident relationship expert Mel Schilling return to their screens back for the 2024 series following a devastating health revelation the year prior.
Ever since lifting the lid on her colon cancer diagnosis for the first time back in December 2023, the mother-of-one has not only made an astonishing return to TV, but has kept fans in the loop every step of the way - including by discussing some of the most vital symptoms of the disease that she initially overlooked.
The Australian Channel 4 star first broke the news of her cancer diagnosis on social media, following the conclusion of the 2023 love experiment.
Sharing a tear-jerking Christmas snap alongside her husband Gareth and their daughter Madison at the time, she penned: "YOU HAVE CANCER. Three little words that everyone dreads but no one ever expects to hear.
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"Last Thursday my consultant told me those three words."
The 52-year-old went on to discuss several of the symptoms that led her to visit her GP in the first place, including one which she admitted to having overlooked on several occasions.
Speaking on social media at the time, Mel revealed that she first began to suspect something was wrong when she began developing severe stomach cramps, which she claimed would have her 'doubled over' in agony.
Adding that she'd been filming a series of MAFS Australia at the time, she admitted, however, that she'd brushed off the pains and attributed them to other causes.
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"I put it down to all the travel I’d been doing and the upset it caused to my system," she went on.
"I saw my GP in Sydney and he put it down to constipation, gave me some laxatives and sent me on my way.
"Fortunately I knew something still wasn’t right so I booked in for a scan when I returned to the UK."
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Since making her admission, the TV favourite has kept fans up to date with regular health updates.
Following her diagnosis, Mel underwent surgery and completed her chemotherapy this summer.
Taking to Instagram in June, she shared a snap from hospital, captioned: "This is my chemo chapter - it’s very up & down.
"Now on cycle 6 of 8, I’m learning how my body responds and finding ways to schedule my work during high energy periods & making the most of rest and self care in between. Learning to rest is a *huge* challenge for me but I’m slowly adapting."
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She added: "It really helps to remind myself that this chemo chapter is just that - one chapter in my life - it’s temporary and will pass. I know I have other, probably challenging chapters ahead, but they are not for today."
And just weeks later, she bravely showed off the scar she'd received from her recent keyhole surgery, revealing at the time: "It took 90 minutes and I was up and walking the next day."
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.
Topics: Australia, Cancer, Celebrity, Health, Married At First Sight, Married At First Sight Australia, Married at First Sight UK, TV And Film, Mel Schilling
Rhianna Benson