Mel Schilling's husband's touching dedication to his wife on anniversary: 'My one'

Four months on from the tragic passing of Married At First Sight (MAFS) expert, Mel Schilling, her husband, Gareth Brisbane, has posted a loving dedication to his beloved wife.

Mel died from colon cancer on March 24, 2026, aged 54. She was diagnosed with the cancer in December 2023 after doctors found a tumour she described as being the size of a lemon. The tumour was removed and she initially received the all-clear, but nodules were later discovered in her lungs, and she underwent 16 rounds of chemotherapy.

On March 12, 2026, Mel posted on Instagram that the cancer had spread to the left side of her brain and said her medical team had told her there was nothing more they could do, though she remained determined to fight. Just weeks later, her husband, Gareth Brisbane, announced that she had died peacefully “surrounded by love”, describing Mel as an extraordinary mother and his soulmate.

Mel and Gareth met online in 2011, started a long-distance relationship and married in Bali in July, 2018. They shared one daughter, Maddie, born in 2014. On what would have been their eighth wedding anniversary, Gareth posted a loving tribute to Mel.

Beginning the caption with “Ah my one,” he went on to detail how difficult it is navigating their anniversary in the wake of Mel’s passing. “[It’s] hard to reconcile that the anniversary of the happiest day of my life could become one of the saddest,” he wrote.

“We didn’t quite make 8 years married or 15 years together but what a love and what a life we had!”

Gareth ended the post on a touching note, writing “Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.”

Gareth’s post has been flooded with messages from MAFS alum sharing their warm sentiments. “Sending love and light,” wrote expert Alessandra Rampolla. “Sending so much love to you and Maddie. Forever missed Mel,” added MAFS 2026 contestant, Bec Zacharia.

Married At First Sight expert Mel Schilling died on March 24, 2026, aged 54, after a two-year battle with colon cancer.

Her husband, Gareth Brisbane, announced that she passed away peacefully “surrounded by love”, just 12 days after Schilling revealed the disease had spread to her brain and doctors could offer no further treatment.

Mel first joined MAFS Australia in 2016 and spent 12 seasons on the expert panel, starring alongside John Aiken, the late Dr Trisha Stratford and Alessandra Rampolla.

A qualified psychologist and relationship coach, Mel helped match couples, analysed their behaviour at dinner parties and she was known for offering frank advice during commitment ceremonies. Mel also joined MAFS UK in 2021, becoming a staple of both versions of the global reality show — and beloved by millions.

Viewers loved Schilling for balancing a warm approach with unflinching honesty. She could call out harmful behaviour without losing empathy, and she showed genuine care for participants, which made her feel less like a reality TV judge and more like a trusted friend.

In a post about her passing, fellow expert John Aiken called her his “partner in crime” and couldn’t imagine the show without her. “She was one of the good ones. I am unravelling just thinking about it,” he wrote.

“I wanted to sit on our couch together forever.”