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MAFS Mel Schilling's cancer journey revealed as star passes away
24 March 2026, 12:26
Here is everything you need to know about MAFS expert Mel Schilling's health journey.
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Mel Schilling, 52, was diagnosed with colon cancer back in December 2023 after being doubled over in pain filming scenes for Married At First Sight Australia.
The relationship expert, who also appeared on the UK version of the hit reality dating show, bravely shared the diagnosis with her fans before undergoing surgery to have a tumour removed.
Following this, Mel underwent six months of chemotherapy, which she marked the end of in 2024 with a special post on Instagram with husband Gareth Brisbane and their daughter, Maddie. Unfortunately Mel later revealed the cancer had spread to her brain and sadly passed away in March 2026.
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For the last few years of Mel's life she continued to raise awareness for colon cancer and documented her health journey online.
19th December 2023: Mel goes public with cancer diagnosis
On 19th September 2023, Mel shared the news with her fans that she had been diagnoses with colon cancer.
Posting a picture with her husband and daughter next to a Christmas tree, Mel explained in the caption that she had been given the heartbreaking news the week before that she had cancer.
In the emotional post, Mel wrote: "Three little words that everyone dreads but no one ever expects to hear. Last Thursday my consultant told me those 3 words.
"About a month ago when I was filming in Australia I developed severe stomach cramps on set, I put it down to all the travel I’d been doing and the upset it caused to my system. I saw my GP in Sydney and he put it down to constipation, gave me some laxatives and sent me on my way. Fortunately I knew something still wasn’t right so I booked in for a scan when I returned to the UK. On Thursday I was told I had colon cancer and in an instant my whole life changed.
"John Lennon famously said that life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans, how right he was. This week I had planned to travel to Northern Ireland with my family to spend Christmas with loved ones. Instead tomorrow morning I’m checking in to hospital to have an operation to remove a 5cm tumour in my colon, a tumour that had it gone undetected for much longer would have killed me.
"Despite this I feel incredibly blessed that it’s a cancer that is relatively easy to eradicate, I’m expected to make a full recovery though it’s a rough road ahead. I also feel so lucky to have an incredible support network around me, both personally and professionally, my own family and my TV family have been amazing this past few days."
She added that she would be in hospital for Christmas, undergoing surgery to have her tumour (which she named Terry) removed.
21st December 2023: Mel has surgery to remove tumour
On 21st December 2023, Mel updated her fans after undergoing surgery to have the tumour removed, sharing a smiling selfie from her hospital bed.
"So yesterday lunchtime I had keyhole surgery to remove my tumour (AKA Terry) and in the words of my amazing surgeon it couldn’t have gone any better!" Mel wrote: "Crucially the cancer hadn’t spread to my abdominal cavity, which was our greatest fear but was entirely localised in my colon. Over the coming days I will discuss my treatment plan going forwards but suffice to say that Terry is toast! 🥳."
She added that she was "blown away" by the messages of support she had received from her fans, adding: "I am so very touched and can honestly say it’s made a difference, so thank you all."
Mel managed to get out of hospital for Christmas Day and spent the festive season recovering from surgery with her family.
10th Jan 2024: Mel returns to work after surgery
Mel returned to film Married At First Sight UK just 20 days after her surgery, admitting that she was concerned she wouldn't be able to fulfil her work commitments.
She called the moment she reunited with Paul and Charlene a "real milestone" and that being around the cast a crew gave her a "boost of energy".
12th Jan 2024: Mel reveals cancer has not spread
On 12th January, Mel was ecstatic to reveal that her PET scan had found there was no spread of the cancer in her body.
"Terry Tumour was definitely cancer," she wrote: "Doc removed 38 lymph nodes & 6 of them were malignant. The cancer had spread to some of the fat cells around my colon, all removed now."
She revealed that the next steps of her treatment involved three months of chemotherapy, with a combination of infusions in the hospital and tablets taken at home.
18th March 2024: Mel chats to Heart about chemotherapy journey
Mel visited Heart in March 2024 where she opened up about her chemotherapy treatment, telling Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden: "This is currently a week off in my chemo cycle which is why I've got quite a lot of energy today."
When asked about how chemotherapy was going for her, Mel explained: "What I've learnt is that there are lots of different types of chemo, I have bowel or colon cancer, so the type of chemo I have doesn't really make me sick, it's not going to make me lose my hair.
"I have other side effects like tingly fingers, that's a funny one, and I am very sensitive to cold - so I have to wear gloves quite a lot - and just a little bit tired."
Mel Schilling opens up about her bowel cancer diagnosis 🙏
12th June 2024: Mel shares chemo update
Taking to her Instagram page, Mel shared an update on her cancer treatment, writing: "This is my chemo chapter - it’s very up & down. Now on cycle 6 of 8, I’m learning how my body responds and finding ways to schedule my work during high energy periods & making the most of rest and self care in between. Learning to rest is a *huge* challenge for me but I’m slowly adapting."
She added: "It really helps to remind myself that this chemo chapter is just that - one chapter in my life - it’s temporary and will pass. I know I have other, probably challenging chapters ahead, but they are not for today."
27th June 2024: Mel bravely shows surgery scar
In an empowering post on Instagram, Mel shared with fans the scar which was left on her stomach from keyhole surgery.
"So many of you were surprised at how SMALL my scar is," she wrote: "It was a keyhole surgery, it took 90 minutes and I was up and walking the next day."
13th July 2024: Mel finishes chemotherapy
In July 2024, Mel shared the news that she had finished her chemotherapy treatment after a difficult six months.
Posting a picture with her husband and daughter, she wrote: "Chemo done, Australia here we come 🇦🇺."
13th January 2025: Mel announces she is in remission
During an appearance on Lorraine, Mel revealed she was in remission, telling the host: "I am doing well, the cancer is in remission.
"Ahh Lorraine it’s been a year… Christmas Eve last year, I just got out of hospital and I just made it home in time for Christmas. It was pretty grim.
"I was just feeling very grateful to be out of hospital but still in a lot of pain and recovering. So fast forward a year to the Christmas we have just had, it was my first cold Christmas and we went crazy. We went Christmas crazy!"
12th March 2026: Mel reveals cancer has spread to her brain
In early 2026 Mel took to social media to reveal the devastating news the cancer had spread to her brain.
The star explained: "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.
These two beside me are my everything. With love and gratitude, Mel"
24th March 2026: Mel passes away
Mel's husband Gareth revealed his wife passed away on March 24th, stating: "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."
