MAFS Australia Expert John Aiken Breaks Silence on 'Devastating' Loss of Mel Schilling
Married At First Sight expert John Aiken has broken his silence following the tragic news that his friend and co-worker Mel Schilling has died. After a long journey with cancer, Mel's husband Gareth confirmed on the morning of March 24th, 2026 that she had sadly passed away.
With hundreds of tributes pouring in for the MAFS expert, her close friend John, who she worked with on the Australian version of the TV show, has spoken up about how he feels "devastated" over the loss. Taking to Instagram with a picture of their professional journey together, where it "began and ended", John wrote an emotional message expressing his grief.
John Aiken's Emotional Tribute to His Friend
In his heartfelt post, John stated: "It’s with great sadness and heavy heart that today I lost my dear friend and fellow MAFS expert Mel Schilling. I am heartbroken, devastated and finding it hard to breathe." He went on to describe their time working together, highlighting her qualities as a colleague and friend.
John shared: "It was a privilege and an honour to sit beside her on the MAFS couch and watch her shine. She was warm, supportive and honest, and she deeply cared about all our participants. I had a front row seat to her remarkable skills and she truly believed in the experiment. At her core she loved love."
Behind the Scenes and Personal Struggles
John also reflected on their relationship off screen, noting how they would "have so much fun" behind the scenes. He added: "And when her illness struck she never complained. She kept her challenges to herself and continued to deliver time and time again. She was an inspiration, a fighter, a leader."
Expressing his sorrow, John said: "It’s not fair that my partner in crime is gone. She was one of the good ones. I am unravelling just thinking about it. I wanted to sit on our couch together forever. She knew my rhythms and I knew hers. But it’s simply not to be."
Final Words and Legacy
John thanked Mel for everything she had given him over their past decade together and admitted he was "distraught" that he had to accept she was now gone. He signed off his tribute with: "I love you and I miss you gorgeous.. xx"
Mel and John worked on the 2026 MAFS Australia together, which is currently being played out on screens in the UK. Earlier this month, Mel revealed how her cancer had spread to her brain and that the diagnosis was terminal, adding context to this heartbreaking loss for the MAFS community and beyond.
