Married At First Sight Australia is reportedly lining up a new expert to join the couch for its upcoming fourteenth series, following the tragic passing of beloved relationship expert Mel Schilling. Production insiders have revealed that well-known love and relationship coach Dr Lurve, whose real name is Brigitte Zonta, is expected to take a seat alongside existing experts John Aiken and Alessandra Rampolla.
Who is Dr Lurve?
Dr Lurve is a recognised figure in the dating and relationship coaching world, known for her direct yet warm approach to helping people navigate modern romance. According to a production insider speaking to the Daily Mail, she is considered an "ideal television personality" who can share her extensive relationship knowledge with "warmth" and "humour". The insider added that she won't shy away from confronting questionable behaviour and understanding what drives it.
Another source close to the show emphasised that Dr Lurve is not being brought in to replace Mel, stating: "No one can replace Mel, and that is not what they are asking Dr Lurve to do. She can be warm and entertaining, but she can also cut through the excuses when somebody is not being honest."
What Dr Lurve brings to the show
The insider highlighted that Dr Lurve's expertise will be particularly valuable in analysing the participants' relationships. "She understands modern dating and why people become attached to the wrong person," they said. "She will be looking at whether the participants' words and behaviour actually match. That is going to make her very interesting at the dinner parties and commitment ceremonies."
Dr Lurve's background in coaching and her ability to dissect relationship dynamics are expected to add a fresh perspective to the show's expert panel, which has been a staple of the series since its inception.
Moving forward with sensitivity
Heading into the new era of MAFS Australia without Mel will never be easy, but sources have admitted that production is approaching the transition with "considerable sensitivity". They stressed that they were "never looking for a carbon copy of Mel" but rather needed "somebody credible, confident and compassionate who could respect what Mel brought to the show while establishing a completely authentic presence of her own".
Mel Schilling, who had been a part of MAFS Australia since 2018, passed away in March 2025 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was diagnosed with bowel cancer in December 2023, and tragically announced in March last year that she had been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Days later, her husband Gareth shared the news of her passing on Instagram.
What to expect in MAFS Australia 2027
With filming for MAFS Australia 2027 already underway, the show is set to look a little different. The addition of Dr Lurve marks a significant change to the expert panel, and fans are eager to see how she will interact with the couples and the other experts. The new series promises to bring the same drama, emotional moments, and relationship insights that have made MAFS Australia a global hit.
As the show enters this new chapter, viewers can expect Dr Lurve to bring her unique blend of empathy and no-nonsense advice to the dinner parties and commitment ceremonies, ensuring that the legacy of Mel Schilling lives on while the show evolves.
