MEL Schilling was renowned for her overwhelming kindness on the set of Married at First Sight – but now we can reveal the final gift she gave her co-stars before her untimely death.
The 54-year-old’s heartbroken husband announced his “wee Melsie” had passed away peacefully today, surrounded by love, from colon cancer, which had metastasised to the brain.
Just one month ago she revealed her decision to leave the E4 show after 12 series – and kept her devastating diagnosis secret to protect her co-stars.
An insider said: “Mel Schilling was always the eternal optimist. Her energy was infectious on set – she would always lift and support everyone else no matter what was going on in her own life.
The majority of her Married at First Sight co-stars had no idea she was as sick as she was.
“In fact, most of them posted about the future opportunities she was going to pursue after calling time as an expert on the show.
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“It was a gift. Mel would never have wanted to inflict pain on her loved ones or admit she had given up hope.
“It was important to her that her battle remained private until she had accepted she had run out of time.
“It was a final act of kindness to the people she worked with for all these years.”
Mel had seemingly successfully recovered from colon cancer after getting a her 2023 diagnosis , Mel’s world fell apart when she was told there was nothing more they could do over Christmas after they discovered it had spread.
It had been a long fight for the TV star who found fame and became a new mum in the year she turned 42.
Her unexpected on-screen success led to one of the most successful dating shows in the world – with Mel taking part in both the UK and Australian versions.
Announcing she was retiring as the show’s matchmaker on February 17, her colleagues shared tributes on social media.
John Aiken, her Australian co-star said: “After 10 years of working with this remarkable woman, my dear friend and colleague Mel has decided to step away from @mafs to focus on family and other exciting new opportunities.”
Similarly their on-screen colleague, Alessandra Rampolla, wrote: “Wishing you joy, blessings and continued success as you step into this next chapter, closer to your beautiful family. You will be deeply missed on the MAFS Australia couch, amiga hermosa!”
However, far from having the opportunity to take on new opportunities, Mel died five weeks later.
She told the world about her death sentence less than a fortnight ago, writing on Instagram: “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.”
In a heartbreaking update from her husband today, he wrote: “Goodbye, my love. My one. Until we meet again.”
Since then tributes have flooded in for the shining light, with John adding: “When her illness struck she never complained. She kept her challenges to herself and continued to deliver time and time again. She was an inspiration, a fighter, a leader.
“I am heartbroken, devastated and finding it hard to breathe.”
Her MAFS UK co-star Charlene Douglas and Alessandra were both able to spend time with Mel in the days before her death.
Charlene told fans: “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.”
Alessandra wrote in a tribute: “I feel so incredibly grateful for the time we shared last week… to look you in the eyes, to hold your hand, and to say the things that truly mattered. That is a gift I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”
Mel had been suffering severe stomach cramps while filming the Australian series of the romance show shortly before her colon cancer diagnosis.
After undergoing surgery on her tumour, she told fans her cancer was in remission last year and flagged key signs to look out for.
Unfortunately, in late February 2024 during a routine scan, small nodules were discovered in her lungs.
Over the next two years she underwent 16 rounds of chemotherapy and was later told she was eligible for a groundbreaking clinical trial specific to her gene type.
However, before it could start in March 2026, Mel was told the cancer had spread to the left side of her brain.
She had radiotherapy sessions, but her oncology team said last week there was nothing more they could do.
What are the red flag warning signs of bowel cancer?
IT’S the fourth most common cancer in the UK, the second deadliest – yet bowel cancer can be cured, if you catch it early enough.
While screening is one way of ensuring early diagnosis, there are things everyone can do to reduce their risk of the deadly disease.
Being aware of the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer, spotting any changes and checking with your GP can prove a life-saver.
If you notice any of the signs, don’t be embarrassed and don’t ignore them. Doctors are used to seeing lots of patients with bowel problems.
The five red-flag symptoms of bowel cancer include:
- Bleeding from the back passage, or blood in your poo
- A change in your normal toilet habits – going more frequently for example
- Pain or a lump in your tummy
- Extreme tiredness
- Losing weight
Tumours in the bowel typically bleed, which can cause a shortage of red blood cells, known as anaemia. It can cause tiredness and sometimes breathlessness.
In some cases bowel cancer can block the bowel, this is known as a bowel obstruction.
Other signs include:
- Gripping pains in the abdomen
- Feeling bloated
- Constipation and being unable to pass wind
- Being sick
- Feeling like you need to strain – like doing a number two – but after you’ve been to the loo
While these are all signs to watch out for, experts warn the most serious is noticing blood in your stools.
But, they warn it can prove tricky for doctors to diagnose the disease, because in most cases these symptoms will be a sign of a less serious disease.
