The dating coach shared love for her former co-star

Paul and Mel worked together closely on MAFS UK(Image: Instagram)

Married at First Sight star Paul C Brunson paid tribute to his “extraordinary” co-star Mel Schilling after she died aged 54. On Tuesday (March 24), Mel’s husband, Gareth Brisbane, announced that the 54-year-old relationship coach had died after her battle with cancer.

In 2023, Mel announced her diagnosis of colon cancer for the first time, but earlier this month she informed fans that the cancer had spread to her lungs and now the left side of her brain. She told fans that her “light is starting to fade – and quickly”.

Best known for Married At First Sight and appearing on its UK counterpart, her co-star from the latter Paul C Brunson took to Instagram to pay tribute to Mel.

Sharing a carousel of black and white images, he penned: “I’ll never forget my first BAFTA in 2022. I arrived on the red carpet with Mel and Charlene to represent MAFS UK. It was our first nomination, and I was nervous. What stood out to me that night was how most celebrities handled it. They’d hear their name called, wave, and continue walking. But the first moment Mel heard her name, she stopped.

“She stepped off the red carpet, moved around the barrier, and went to hug the women calling out to her. Not a wave. Not a gesture. A real moment. The level of respect she showed her fans… that’s something I’ll never forget.”

He continued to share that Mel was flying between Australia and the UK “repeatedly” over the last two years all while going through chemotherapy and filming 14-hour days. He gushed: “That wasn’t just professionalism. That was extraordinary strength”.

Paul concluded: “Mel showed us what it means to live your values. To choose people. To show up with strength, even when it’s hard. To stand for something. To never give up on yourself. And to love deeply. She was present. She was powerful. She was full of heart. She will be deeply loved. And profoundly missed.”

Paul labelled his co-star as “extraordinary” after her death was announced(Image: Instagram)

Posted on Instagram, Mel’s husband shared the statement next to his own collection of photos of the star of her as both a wife and a mother over the years.

The statement read: “Melanie Jane Brisbane-Schilling passed away peacefully today, surrounded by love. In her final moments, when I thought cancer had taken away her ability to speak, she ushered me closer and whispered a message for Maddie and me that will sustain me for the rest of my life. It took all of her remaining strength, and that gesture summed up our wee Melsie perfectly. Even then, her only thought was for Maddie and me.

“This is a woman who became a new mum and a TV star at 42 — and nailed both. This is 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 of you, she was Mel Schilling — matriarch of MAFS and queen of reality TV. To Maddie and me, she was our wee Melsie: an incredible mum, role model, and soulmate.

“On behalf of our family and her incredible friendship group, thank you for the support from around the world. I also want to thank our wonderful MAFS family — John, Alessandra, Charlene, Roxy, and Sophie — for your kindness and compassion.

“To Lee, Louie, Susy, and Ian at Channel 4 / CPL, who went above and beyond for us, we will never forget it. To Sarah at InterTalent, not just an agent, but a true confidante. And to the wonderful Elizabeth Day — Mel’s podcasting partner and dear friend — thank you for your friendship and empathy.

“Life can be beautiful, and life can be incredibly cruel. But ultimately, life is fleeting, fragile, and tomorrow is promised to no one. If you can do anything to honour Mel, please live life to the full, love your people well, and try not to sweat the small stuff.

“I had 15 wonderful years with my soulmate, and it was the privilege of my life to be by her side. For that, I will be forever thankful. Goodbye, my love. My one. Until we meet again.”