Married at First Sight dating coach Mel Schilling has died of cancer at the age of 54, her husband has said on Instagram.

Schilling, who was part of the reality TV show's cast since 2016, was diagnosed in December 2023 and said earlier this month that the disease had spread to her brain.

She "passed away peacefully today, surrounded by love", a statement from husband Gareth said on Tuesday.

"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," he wrote.

He said she used "all of her remaining strength" in her final moments to whisper a message for daughter Maddie and him "that will sustain me for the rest of my life".

"Even then, her only thought was for Maddie and me," he said.

"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."

He added: "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."

Schilling first joined Mafs in her home country of Australia and later on the UK version of the show, which airs on E4. She stepped down from the Australian version last month after 12 seasons.

In a statement, Channel 4 said: "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 energized 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."

When Schilling revealed her illness in 2023, she said she developed severe stomach cramps a few months beforehand and was initially told she had constipation before having a scan and receiving her diagnosis of colon cancer, which is a form of bowel cancer.

On 12 March this year, Schilling said the cancer had spread and that doctors had told her "there is nothing further they can do".

"My light is starting to fade - and quickly," she wrote at the time.

Since her original diagnosis, she had undergone 16 rounds of chemotherapy while still filming Married At First Sight, Schilling explained.

CPL Productions, which makes Married at First Sight UK, said its staff were "deeply saddened to hear of the death of our beloved friend and colleague".

A statement said: "Over many years, many of us have been privileged to work with Mel on Married At First Sight, and her loss today will come as a tremendous sadness to all who knew her.

"Mel went far beyond being just a fantastic on-screen presenter; she was a friend to CPL, and to many of us who worked with her.

"We send our love and heartfelt condolences at this incredibly difficult time to Mel's family, friends, and all who were close to her. She will be deeply missed by everyone whose lives she touched."

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