Married at First Sight's Mel Schilling has passed away aged 54, following the revelation last week her cancer had spread to her brain.

Her family confirmed the sad news on her Instagram profile this morning, saying of her passing: "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."

Mel was first diagnosed with colon cancer in 2023, after a tumour "the size of a lemon" was discovered during a scan. However, it was subsequently removed, and at the time, she was given the all-clear.

However, the MAFS star revealed that, in late February 2024, small nodules were discovered in her lungs during a routine scan and doctors explained that the cancer had metastasised. In the past two years she underwent 16 rounds of chemotherapy while filming MAFS.

Last week on her Instagram Mel shared with fans she had discovered after Christmas the cancer had spread to the left side of her brain and "despite subsequent radiotherapy sessions, my oncology team have now told me there is nothing further they can do."

Since the news of her passing, many fans of MAFS, colleagues of Mel, and figures in the public eye have gone onto express their heartfelt condolences to Mel's family and shared their memories of her.

Here are just some of the tributes to the wonderful Mel Schilling

E4

E4, part of Channel 4, who air both MAFS UK and MAFS Australia which Mel was an expert on said of her passing: "All of us at Channel 4 are incredibly saddened by the news of Mel’s death. Our thoughts and condolences are, first and foremost, with her family and loved ones.

"We’re privileged to be the channel that is home to Mel’s work, which was at the heart of Married at First Sight’s phenomenal success, both in the UK and Australia. It reflected so much about her – her fierce advocacy for other women, her passion for healthy relationships and her mission to unite people in love.

"Just as importantly, we’d like to pay tribute to Mel as a person. For many who work for Channel 4, Mel was not just a colleague but a friend, someone who radiated joy, warmth and optimism, who energised every room she walked into with humour and positivity.

"Everyone who knew her will miss all this about her and much more. We share in the sorrow that we’re sure many viewers will now feel at this terrible loss."

Nine Australia

Nine is the Australia distributor of MAFS Australia, of which Mel was an expert on and Michael Healy, Nine’s Executive Director of Entertainment, Streaming & Broadcasting said of Mel's passing:

"All of us at Nine are deeply saddened by the loss of Mel Schilling. Mel was a wonderful colleague and friend. She had a gift for connecting with people and helping them navigate life’s challenges. For years, she guided us through the complexities of the human heart with wisdom, honesty, and kindness.

"Mel was a big part of our family, and she will be greatly missed. Our hearts and deepest sympathies are with her husband Gareth, their daughter Maddie and her entire family during this incredibly difficult time.”

John Aiken

John Aiken, who has been on MAFS Australia with Mel for many years has now shared a very moving statement on his Instagram.

He described how much Mel loved love and said how "unfair" it was she was no longer here.

Read his statement in full:

"It’s with great sadness and heavy heart that today I lost my dear friend and fellow MAFS expert Mel Schilling. I am heartbroken, devastated and finding it hard to breathe.

"She came into my life 10 years ago and together we rode this @mafs juggernaut, being there for one another through it all. Nothing could prepare us for what lay ahead, but she was always in the fox hole with me.

"It was a privilege and an honor to sit beside her on the MAFS couch and watch her shine. She was warm, supportive and honest, and she deeply cared about all our participants. I had a front row seat to her remarkable skills and she truly believed in the experiment. At her core she loved love ❤️

"And behind the scenes we had so much fun. Before going on set we would sing, dance, FaceTime her daughter and eat lollies. Every time I came to set she would squeal, jump out of her chair and run and embrace me - squeezing me tight. And through all of these years she was an amazing mother and wife. She was loving, committed, loyal, fun and so very very kind. And she always had as her driving force her family. She was a role model for all to see.

"And 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. It’s not fair that my partner in crime is gone. She was one of the good ones. I am unravelling just thinking about it. I wanted to sit on our couch together forever. She knew my rhythms and I knew hers. But it’s simply not to be.

"Dearest Mel - I want to thank you for everything you have given me over the past decade. I am distraught. Sadly and devastatingly I have to accept that you are now gone. The MAFS universe weeps, as does all your dearest family and friends. Particularly, all my love and prayers go to Gareth and Maddie - we have all been blessed to have known her. I love you and I miss you gorgeous. xx"

Charlene Douglas

Charlene, one of the experts on MAFS UK has shared her own message of condolence following Mel's passing.

On her Instagram today she shared a video of herself, Paul C Brunson and Mel dancing in the MAFS UK studio. She wrote of Mel: "I’m both devastated and heartbroken to hear of the passing of my MAFS queen and friend Mel.

"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.

"Mel’s love for life, jokes and of course dancing will forever stay in my heart. What I wouldn’t give to be dancing to Beyoncé with you right now. Sleep in perfect peace Mel. Love you ♥️."

This Morning's Ben and Cat

During today's episode of This Morning, presenters Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley shared the sad news of Mel's passing live on air.

Ben said to the audience: "It's time for our phone in now, but we've just had some really devastating news about someone who has sat alongside us and taken many of your phone calls over the years."

Cat then said: "Mel Schilling, who you'll know from Married at First Sight, sadly passed away earlier today at the age of 54, following a battle with cancer."

The pair followed up by sending their love to her family.

Alison Hammond

This Morning presenter Alison Hammond commented on Channel 4's statement saying: "Condolences to her family. A massive loss. RIP my friend."

Natalie Appleton

Singer Natalie Appleton commented on the news, and said of Mel's passing: "I am absolutely devastated to hear this news 💔💔💔💔💔 😔 god bless your precious Mel 🙏🏼 I’m sending so much love from all my family to yours 🙏🏼."

Anna Williamson

Anna Williamson, the dating expert on Channel 4's Celebs Go Dating, who worked with Mel a lot over the years shared an emotional statement on her own Instagram.

Anna shared a series of pictures of hte pair together before going onto say of her friend: "What a woman. A fighter til the end, an end that was far far too soon.

"All of our Channel 4 family are grieving the loss of Mel. She touched a lot of people on and off screen. As her E4 ‘stable mate’ and with a love of coaching others and juggling being telly mums we naturally gravitated towards each other, held a deep respect for each other and became friends.

"Mel was always optimistic in spirit about her cancer diagnosis and fight for recovery. She never complained when she’d message, and was always putting in the fight for her Gareth and Maddie. Many people were touched by Mel and benefited from her badass approach to life, her work and her family and I know that legacy will continue👌

"And it’s her beautiful family who my heart goes out to in particular, I can only imagine the pain at her loss, the sheer love and pride she had for her Gareth & Maddie was off the charts!! A fiercely proud wife and mama ❤️ Rest now my friend. Thanks for the always cheery voicenotes ‘just because’ 🫶❤️."

Lisa Snowdon

Model and presenter Lisa Snowdon shared her condolences with Mel's family, saying: "RIP beautiful Mel 💔🙏🏼 Sending love and strength to you all ❤️."

Carol Vorderman

TV presenter Carol wrote underneath the announcement of Mel's passing with a sweet message, where she said: "So very sorry for your immense loss. The world is a sadder place today 😢."

Lucinda Light

Former MAFS Australia cast member and now E4 presenter said of Mel's passing on her Instagram: "Beautiful @mel_schilling1 passed away peacefully today surrounded by so much love. It’s hard to put into words how sad this is 😢Sending love to her beautiful family- particularly Gareth and Maddie and all those who were close to her. RIP divine lady~ you’ll be incredibly missed from planet earth."

Harriet Rose

TV and radio presenter commented underneath Mel's family's post about her passing: "What a lovely woman Mel was. I am so so sorry for your loss ❤️❤️❤️."

MAFS' Laura Vaughan

Former MAFS UK cast member Laura said of Mel's passing in a comment on Instagram, "Darling Mel. 💔💔 To say you were an inspiration to many would fall incredibly short. You were a beacon of light to all who knew you, loved you and watched you around the world. To know you is to be in awe of you. I remember us talking about your cancer diagnosis backstage on a campaign shoot, you grabbed my hand and with a wink you said 'I'm a fighter, don't you worry' and that's exactly what you were. I feel so privileged to have met you, worked with you and experienced firsthand the kindness you gave in abundance. It embodied you. This world is a lonelier place without you in it. Thoughts are with your family and those close to you. Rest easy now."

MAFS' Hannah Norburn

MAFS UK's Hannah also commented on the original post about Mel's passing, saying: "Oh my heart breaks for all your family. What a gorgeous incredible woman you are. You will be so missed & so loved ❤️❤️."

Love Island's Ekin-Su

Former Love Island winner Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu commented on Mel's family post sharing her love for Mel and the family, she wrote: "Absolutely heart broken… sending so much love to you and your family.. always remembered as beautiful strong, inside and out 😢❤️ RIP."

MAFS Australia's Michael Brunelli

Former MAFS Australia cast member Michael Brunelli, who is still with his partner Martha Kalifatidis he was matched with on MAFS, shared a sweet message thanking Mel for everything she did for the couple.

Michael wrote: "Rest in Peace Mel. ❤️ Thank you for everything you did for Martha and I. We’ll talk all about you when our kids ask how we met. You were so genuinely caring to us on the show and we’ll always be grateful for it. Thank you for everything."

MAFS Australia's Jamie Marinos

Jamie Marinos starred on last year's MAFS Australia and has now shared her own statement in tribute to Mel.

Writing on her Instagram Story, Jamie said of Mel: "Mel, you were truly a beautiful soul. Your smile, your energy… you just radiated.

"I feel so grateful to have been in your presence. Even though my heart is broken knowing you’re gone, I’ll always be so grateful I got to know you.

"I hope you’re at peace now. Sending so much love to your friends and family 🤍."

More to come.