Featured Image Credit: Hoda Davaine/Getty Images
Topics: Mel Schilling, Married At First Sight, Cancer, Health, Reality TV, Bowel cancer, Married at First Sight UK, Married At First Sight Australia
Madison Burgess
Topics: Mel Schilling, Married At First Sight, Cancer, Health, Reality TV, Bowel cancer, Married at First Sight UK, Married At First Sight Australia
Married at First Sight (MAFS) dating coach Mel Schilling has heartbreakingly shared that her cancer has spread to her brain and she doesn't know how long she has left to live.
The 54-year-old Australian relationship therapist, who joined the reality TV series in 2016, initially revealed she was diagnosed with colon cancer in December 2023.
She explained how 'a tumour the size of a lemon was discovered during a scan,' however, it was successfully removed and Mel was initially given the all clear.
But the dating coach gave her followers a devastating update yesterday (12 March), revealing that her cancer has returned, is now terminal, and her 'light is starting to fade'.
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Mel penned a lengthy post on Instagram alongside a photo with her husband, Gareth, and her ten-year-old daughter, Maddie.
She wrote: "Unfortunately, in late February 2024, during a routine scan, small nodules were discovered in my lungs. The cancer had metastasised, and my world changed again in an instant.
"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. Once again, my optimism soared that I might beat this thing."
Mel recalled that over Christmas, she began experiencing 'blinding headaches and numbness' down her right side.
"After many tests, I was told the cancer had spread to the left side of my brain and, despite subsequent radiotherapy sessions, my oncology team have now told me there is nothing further they can do," she wrote.
The dating coach continued: "Hearing those words changes everything.
"So that’s where I am now. My light is starting to fade - and quickly. But I am still here, still fighting, and surrounded by the most incredible love.
"Simple tasks have become incredibly difficult, and I am relying on my beautiful family to look after me.
"I honestly don’t know how long I have left, but I do know I will fight to my last breath and will be surrounded by the love and support of my people."
She added: "At the outset of this journey, so many of you sent the most wonderful messages of support. They have meant more than I can ever properly express and have helped shape the mindset I’ve needed to keep fighting. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
"If I could leave you with one thing, it would simply be this: if something doesn’t feel right, please get it checked out. It might just save your life."
Then, referencing her husband and daughter, she signed off with: "These two beside me are my everything. With love and gratitude, Mel."
Mel first joined MAFS in Australia and later joined the UK version of the show, which airs on E4, but announced last month that she would be stepping away from the Australian show to prioritise her family and health.
Channel 4 announced that expert John Aiken will be stepping in to replace Mel for the remainder of the latest UK series, which is currently being filmed.
The channel said in a statement on Thursday: "Mel has become a hugely valued and much-loved part of the Channel 4 family; to many of us she is a friend as well as a colleague.
"Her wisdom, warmth, humour and kindness shine through, and these qualities mean that everyone involved in MAFS, from the producers and contributors, to the viewers, love and respect her as much as we do."
The NHS says that signs to look out for that could indicate a malignant brain tumour include new headaches, headaches that are getting worse, feeling or being sick, having seizures, being very tired, fainting, and personality changes.
If you have headaches that keep coming back, make you feel sick, and don't go away with painkillers, you should contact your GP.
If you often feel sick and it doesn't go away after a few days, you should also get checked out.
If you experience changes to your eyesight - such as blurred vision, not being able to see out of the corner of your eye, and seeing flashes of light or dots and lines - you need to ask for an urgent GP appointment.
Vomiting for more than two days should also result in a priority trip to the doctor's
You need to call 999 or go to A&E if you have a sudden headache that's extremely painful, a seizure for the first time, or a seizure that lasts longer than usual.
The website adds: "Having the symptoms does not definitely mean you have a brain tumour, but it's important to get checked."
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.