Married at First Sight expert, Mel Schilling.(Image: Channel 4)

Married at First Sight Australia aired an emotional on-air tribute to Mel Schilling after she shared the news of her terminal cancer diagnosis.

The TV personality, known for offering relationship advice on the hit Channel 4 reality dating show, recently shared the heartbreaking news that doctors have told her “there is nothing further they can do” to treat her cancer.

Mel, who had treatment for colon cancer in 2023, bravely shared that the cancer had metastasised and had been found on her lungs and while filming MAFS she underwent 16 rounds of chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy.

But the 54-year-old said that the cancer has now spread to the left side of her brain and that her light is “starting to fade”, having been told that medically, there is nothing further that can be done to treat the cancer.

It comes after Mel announced she would be stepping back from the Australian version of the programme after 12 seasons on the expert panel. In a statement shared online, Channel 4 said MAFS Australia expert John Aiken will step in to replace Mel for the remainder of the UK series, which is currently being filmed.

Now, in a moving statement, John has shared a message of support, as he steps in as her replacement on the upcoming series of MAFS UK. Before the latest episode of MAFS Australia series 13 aired in the UK on Wednesday (March 18), a video of John was played out on E4. In the video, John earnestly told viewers: “Since Mel made her announcement, MAFS fans across the world have come together in a way that has been truly moving.

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John was seen paying an on-air tribute to MAFS co-star Mel(Image: Channel 4)

“The incredible outpouring of love, and support from every corner of the globe, is a testament to the woman we all know and admire. I’m here in the UK, stepping in to support the team, on Married At First Sight, but like all of you, my heart is with our dear colleague and friend, as she focuses on her health.”

He emotionally added: “To us, Mel isn’t just a colleague, she is family, our thoughts and our love continue to be with Mel, Gareth and Maddie. We love you Mel.”

It was last Thursday (March 12), that Mel said her “world changed” in an instant after being told that her cancer had spread. She said: “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.

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Mel confirmed the heartbreaking news in a social media post(Image: Getty Images)

“Over Christmas, however, I began experiencing blinding headaches and numbness down my 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

“Hearing those words changes everything. 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.”

In the Instagram post, she thanked people for messaging her words of encouragement and support and said they have helped “shape the mindset” she needed to “keep fighting”. She added: “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.”