Married At First Sight star Mel Schilling says ‘light is starting to fade’ in heartbreaking cancer update

Married at First Sight star Mel Schilling has offered a heartbreaking update on her cancer diagnosis and suggested that the light in her is 'starting to fade'.

The Australian dating coach, who has been a regular on the show since it first launched back in 2015, has admitted that there is now nothing more that doctors can do after her cancer metastasised to her brain.

Schilling, 54, will now step down from MAFS and focus on spending more time with her family, having given 12 seasons to MAFS Australia and five seasons to MAFS UK, with Channel 4 confirming that expert John Aiken will step in for her, while also sending love to Mel and her family.

Schilling was first diagnosed with colon cancer in 2023 after she discovered a lump but despite receiving the all-clear, a routine scan in 2024 revealed that it was back and after it spread to her brain, there was little more that modern medicine could do for her.

Taking to Instagram, she wrote: "In December 2023 I was diagnosed with colon cancer after a tumour the size of a lemon was discovered during a scan. “Terry,” as I called him, was successfully removed and I was initially given the all clear — that much many of you already know.

"Unfortunately, in late February 2024 during a routine scan, small nodules were discovered in my lungs. The cancer had metastasised and my world changed again in an instant. 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.

"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.

"So that’s where I am now. 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.

"At the outset of this journey, so many of you sent the most wonderful messages of support. They have meant more than I can ever properly express and have helped shape the mindset I’ve needed to keep fighting.

"Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

"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."

She shared a picture of her standing with her husband and their daughter, ending the message by saying that 'these two beside me are my everything'.

Channel 4 also issued a heartfelt statement after the tragic news was confirmed.

It read: "Over five series of Married at First Sight UK, and 12 series of Married at First Sight Australia, Mel has become a hugely valued and much-loved part of the Channel 4 family; to many of us she is a friend as well as a colleague.

"Her wisdom, warmth, humour and kindness shine through, and these qualities mean that everyone involved in MAFS, from the producers and contributors, to the viewers, love and respect her as much as we do."