MAFS expert Mel Schilling has sadly passed away and viewers admitted it was ‘weird’ watching Wednesday night’s pre-recorded episode. Source: Instagram/Mel Schilling/Channel 9

Many Married At First Sight viewers admitted to feeling “weird” while watching Wednesday night’s episode following the shock death of expert Mel Schilling, with some even begging for it to be delayed.

It was revealed on Tuesday that the relationship expert had passed away following a years-long battle with cancer.

Despite the sad news about an integral member of the MAFS family, the pre-recorded Channel 9 show aired on Wednesday as per normal.

The only difference was a statement from fellow expert John Aiken before the episode started, and an in memoriam section about Mel at the end.

After the tribute in the opening seconds, the show carried on with its Wednesday night dinner party episode, which was filled with all the antics viewers would expect on the show.

Viewers torn over over Wednesday’s MAFS episode

Viewers said they were uncomfortable soaking up the drama in light of Mel’s passing, and there were even calls for Channel 9 to push the episode back.

Channel 10 delayed the start of its 15th season of MasterChef Australia in 2023 when judge Jock Zonfrillo died the day before it was supposed to premiere.

“I wish they wouldn’t show tonight’s show,” said one. “Out of respect to beautiful Mel and her family and extended family.”

“Almost wrong watching tonight’s episode after last night’s news,” added another.

“It feels weird to go back to regular scheduled programming,” wrote a third.

Some said that while they typically enjoyed all the back-and-forth between the couples at the dinner party, the arguments felt at odds with how sad it was that Mel was no longer with us.

But other viewers thought it’s exactly what Mel would have wanted.

“Mel put a lot of her energy into this show, she wanted us to keep watching,” said one.

“As jarring as it is, I’d like to think this show gave her financial stability, close friendships, laughs or lightheartedness and maybe even a distraction from what would have been an awful few years.”

Touching tribute to Mel Schilling divides

Wednesday night’s episode of MAFS featured two tributes to Mel, with her colleague John Aiken opening the show with a message to viewers.

“It’s with great sadness and a heavy heart that today the MAFS family lost lost a colleague and a dear friend, Mel Schilling,” he said.

“She was someone that could light up a room. She was full of joy and had a huge smile. And whenever she was on set, everyone lifted.

“She bought fun, joy, and humour. She also bought an authenticity that we all loved to be around.

“It was such a delight to watch her shine. She was a fighter. A leader, and an inspiration.”

The end of the episode featured a series of clips of Mel’s involvement with the Channel 9 show over the years.

She first joined Married At First Sight in 2016 for the second season, and has been one of the three experts ever since.

Mel has also provided her insights to the UK version of the hit reality TV show.

During the clips shown last night, there was a speech she gave to the contestants from a particular season.

“The purpose of this conversation is to talk about what’s been happening within the group of women,” she said.

“Not to make comparisons between men and women, and who does it better.

“I just hope that there’s some insight here with the ladies that, yes, in the future, you are going to be in contact with other women who have strong personalities, have strong judgments about you, or opinions about you.

“But that doesn’t mean that you have to play dirty.

“As a woman, I think it’s important that we support each other, that we empower each other.

“That we don’t compete with each other, that we give other women an opportunity to shine.”