Married at First Sight expert to leave after more than a decade on the hit dating show - read her full statement, plus who will replace her?
A Married at First Sight expert has announced she will be leaving the hit dating show after more than a decade.
Mel Schilling will be leaving MAFS Australia after 12 years on the relationship expert panel.
The star confirmed on Tuesday (February 17), that she has decided to end her time on one of the most-watched reality shows across the world. She will leave MAFS Australia, but she will continue to guide the couples on MAFS UK.
In a heartfelt statement, Mel said she made the decision due to her ongoing health challenges and also for the good of her family, including her husband and young daughter.
She wrote: After 12 extraordinary seasons, I have made the heartfelt decision to step away from my role as an expert on Married At First Sight Australia. This hasn't been a choice I've made lightly. In recent years, my health challenges and living in the UK spending up to three months a year away from my family is no longer sustainable.'
She went on: “It has become clear that I must make a change that puts my family, health and time at the very centre of my life. What began as a small social experiment has grown into a global phenomenon, and I have felt truly privileged to be part of that journey. I am incredibly grateful to the fans, the production team, and my fellow experts for their trust and passion over the years.”
MAFS has now been on our screens for more than a decade, with Mel being at the forefront of both the UK and Aus versions for almost all of the seasons. She joined MAFS Australia in season 2, and MAFS UK in 2021.
On-screen, she’s guided hundreds of singles through the experiment. But, off-screen she has battled cancer. She was diagnosed with colon cancer in December 2023. Doctors found she had a 5cm tumour in her ascending colon. She had surgery to remove it just before Christmas 2023, and then six months of chemotherapy.
The TV star ended her statement to thank her fans for their support. “I am leaving not with sadness, but with a deep sense of gratitude for everything we've achieved together. Stepping away from the Australian series is the right move for my future, though I look forward to continuing my work with Married at First Sight UK. Thank you for being part of this chapter with me.”
Fellow expert John Aiken, who has worked alongside Mel since season two of MAFS Aus, also released a statement about his friend’s departure. He said: "Neither of us knew what we were ultimately in for" when they joined the team.
"From storm outs, wine throwing and gaslighting, to heartbreak, drama and true love stories - we saw it all while sitting side by side on the experts couch," he wrote on Instagram. "It’s been such a privilege to experience all this with such a beautiful human being and I’m sad I won’t be able to do this again with her,” he went on.
"I have treasured being able to lean on Mel throughout this intense reality juggernaut journey, and to share so many laughs along the way with her. I simply could not have survived this without her."
Addressing Mel directly, he said: “You are one of the key reasons for the massive success of this show and you’ll be greatly missed by myself and all of the amazing MAFS family," he said.
Her second fellow expert Alessandra Rampolla, who has worked alongside Meland John for six seasons, also issued a statement and said it's hard to imagine MAFS without her.
"When I first traveled to Australia to join the show, I was stepping into something already established and deeply loved — and I literally knew no one," she said on Instagram. "From the very beginning, you welcomed me with open arms: the first to call, the first to say 'let’s have lunch', the first to make sure I felt at home in a brand-new chapter of my life. You took me under your wing in a way I will never forget, and for that I will always be grateful."
She went on: “"You’ve been a steady voice for compassion, accountability, and a true believer in the possibility of love. Your legacy on this show is undeniable, and the impact you’ve made — on me and on so many others — will live on far beyond the screen.
"Wishing you joy, blessings and continued success as you step into this next chapter, closer to your beautiful family. You will be deeply missed on the MAFS Australia couch."
MAFS Australia has been hugely successful for Australia’s Channel Nine since 2015. Adrian Swift, Channel Nine's Head of Content, Production and Development, paid tribute to Mel's legacy.
“Mel has been on the Married at First Sight journey from season two. She helped us define the show in the early days and always brought her incredible insight and empathy to both the matching process and to the commitment ceremony couch,” he said.
“She has celebrated every high and met every challenge over the last 12 seasons of MAFS but her enthusiasm to find the best match for hundreds of Aussies has remained undiminished. All of us at Nine hugely value her contribution to the nation's most-watched television series but we understand the pull of her home in the UK and wish her continued success on MAFS UK.”
Mel is currently onscreen on MAFS Australia season 13 2026, in Australia, and the show is expected to air in the UK next month. She will not return for MAFS Aus season 14 2027, which will actually be filmed later this year. The star will, however, be filming MAFS UK series 11 2026 this summer. This will then air in the UK this Autumn.
It has not yet been announced who will replace MAFS Australia on the relationship expert panel.