Mel Schilling to step down from MAFS UK following saddening health news

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Mel Schilling is leaving Married at First Sight UK to focus on her health, as she continues to fight colon cancer.

In December 2023, Schilling received a diagnosis of colon cancer when a scan revealed a tumor. Fortunately, the tumor was successfully removed, and doctors confirmed she was cancer-free.

In early 2024, small nodules were then discovered in her lungs, and her cancer had metastasised.

Mel shared on Instagram that while filming Married at First Sight over the last two years, she went through 16 rounds of chemotherapy. She was then offered a promising new clinical trial, starting in March 2026, specifically designed for people with her genetic makeup, which gave her hope for recovery.

Over Christmas, Schilling started getting headaches and experiencing numbness. Tests revealed the cancer had spread to the left side of her brain.

She wrote that after several rounds of radiation therapy, her cancer doctors have told her there are no more treatment options available.

Hearing that news completely changed things for me. That’s where I’m at now. My health is declining rapidly, but I’m still here, still trying my best, and so grateful for the amazing love around me. Even everyday things are now really challenging, and I’m depending on my wonderful family to care for me. I don’t know how much time I have left, but I’ll keep fighting as long as I can, surrounded by the love and support of my family and friends.

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Following the upsetting news, Channel 4 announced that Married at First Sight Australia’s John Aiken will be filling in for Mel, and offered their heartfelt support to her and her family during this challenging period.

Throughout the UK and Australian versions of Married at First Sight – over five series in the UK and twelve in Australia – Mel has become a cherished member of the Channel 4 team. She’s not just a colleague to many of us, but a friend as well.

She’s known for her wisdom, warmth, and great sense of humor, and she’s incredibly kind. Because of these qualities, everyone connected with the show – the people who make it, those who participate, and the viewers at home – all admire and respect her just as much as we do.

The new season of Married at First Sight UK is currently being filmed, and the channel has announced that Aiken will be filling in for another cast member this series.

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Since ‘Married at First Sight Australia’ began in 2015, Aiken has been a go-to expert on the show. He’s worked with Schilling since 2016. Before becoming a relationship specialist, Aiken was a professional cricket player for Auckland and Wellington.

I was really sad to hear that Alessandra Schilling won’t be part of Married At First Sight Australia anymore. She shared that she’s decided to step down to spend more quality time with her family and prioritize her own well-being, which I totally understand and respect. It’s been great having her as an expert, but I’m glad she’s focusing on what’s important to her now.

Mel announced on Instagram that after 12 amazing seasons, she’s leaving her position as an expert on Married at First Sight Australia. She said it was a difficult but heartfelt decision.

I didn’t make this decision easily. My health hasn’t been great recently, and traveling to the UK for up to three months each year has become too difficult while trying to balance everything with my family. It’s become clear that I need to prioritize my health, family, and time.

To find out more about Stand Up To Cancer and how you can donate, visit su2c.org.uk.

Authors

Katelyn MensahSenior Entertainment Writer

Katelyn Mensah writes about entertainment for TopMob, covering everything from popular TV shows and reality competitions to important documentaries. Before joining TopMob, she worked at The Tab, where she reported on reality TV and celebrity news. She has a journalism degree.

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2026-03-12 22:05