Mel Schilling has revealed that her cancer has spread to her brain as she shared a devastating health update with her followers on Thursday. 

The Married At First Sight star, 54, revealed that she had been diagnosed with colon cancer back in December 2023, and she had to have surgery to remove a 5cm tumour.

However, in a lengthy Instagram post, Mel has now revealed that she found out her cancer had metastasised to her lungs in 2024, and over Christmas it was discovered it has now spread to her brain. 

In a heartbreaking statement she wrote: ‘I honestly don’t know how long I have left, but I do know I will fight to my last breath and will be surrounded by the love and support of my people.’

Mel explained that she has undergone 16 rounds of chemotherapy during the past two years while also filming MAFS. 

She was due to start a new clinical trial this March, however over Christmas she began experiencing blinding headaches and numbness down her right side.  

MAFS’s Mel Schilling, 54, reveals her cancer has spread to her brain and there is ‘nothing more doctors can do’ as she shares devastating health update

After tests it was discovered the cancer has spread to her brain and there is nothing further doctors can do. She wrote: ‘My light is starting to fade – and quickly.’ 

Sharing a photo with her husband Gareth and daughter Madison, 10, Mel’s full statement read: ‘In December 2023 I was diagnosed with colon cancer after a tumour the size of a lemon was discovered during a scan. “Terry,” as I called him, was successfully removed and I was initially given the all clear — that much many of you already know.

‘Unfortunately, in late February 2024 during a routine scan, small nodules were discovered in my lungs. The cancer had metastasised and my world changed again in an instant. 

‘Over the past two years, while filming MAFS, I underwent 16 rounds of chemotherapy and was later told I was eligible for a groundbreaking clinical trial specific to my gene type, due to start in March 2026. Once again, my optimism soared that I might beat this thing.

‘Over Christmas, however, I began experiencing blinding headaches and numbness down my right side.

‘After many tests I was told the cancer had spread to the left side of my brain and, despite subsequent radiotherapy sessions, my oncology team have now told me there is nothing further they can do. Hearing those words changes everything. 

‘So that’s where I am now. My light is starting to fade — and quickly. But I am still here, still fighting, and surrounded by the most incredible love. 

‘Simple tasks have become incredibly difficult and I am relying on my beautiful family to look after me. I honestly don’t know how long I have left, but I do know I will fight to my last breath and will be surrounded by the love and support of my people.

‘At the outset of this journey, so many of you sent the most wonderful messages of support. They have meant more than I can ever properly express and have helped shape the mindset I’ve needed to keep fighting. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

‘If I could leave you with one thing, it would simply be this: if something doesn’t feel right, please get it checked out. It might just save your life.

‘These two beside me are my everything. With love and gratitude, Mel.’

The Married At First Sight star, 53, revealed that she had been diagnosed with colon cancer back in December 2023, and she had to have surgery to remove a 5cm tumour

In a lengthy caption she penned: ‘My light is starting to fade — and quickly. But I am still here, still fighting, and surrounded by the most incredible love’

Friends and fans rushed to the comments to share their condolences following the sad news

Friends and fans rushed to the comments to share their condolences following the devastating news. 

Dawn French penned: ‘What a nourishing, bright light you are. Sending tons of this..’

Karry Katona wrote: ‘Sending you so much strength and love.’

Last month Mel announced she was stepping away from the Australian series of MAFS after starring on the show since season two. 

In a heartfelt statement, Mel revealed the decision came after careful consideration, citing ongoing health challenges and the strain of splitting her life between Australia and the UK.

‘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,’ she said.

‘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.’

‘It has become clear that I must make a change that puts my family, health and time at the very centre of my life,’ she continued.

Mel has become a familiar face on the commitment ceremony couch, guiding hundreds of brides and grooms through explosive dinner parties, tearful confessions and headline-making break-ups.

Back in January 2025, Mel gave fans a cancer update live on Lorraine as she discussed the signs and symptoms to raise awareness to those watching at home.

The relationship expert, who has been a core part of the experiment since season two, confirmed last month she would no longer appear on MAFS Australia (Pictured L-R: MAFS John Aiken, Mel and Alessandra Rampolla) 

Speaking about the symptoms that she ignored before her diagnosis, Mel said: ‘I think one of the big issues that came out of this for me is that I wasn’t listening to my body.

‘I was just full speed ahead, doing my job, travelling the world, doing my thing and living my best life, but all of these symptoms were happening in my body and I wasn’t paying attention.

‘There was pain, there was constipation. I hadn’t been to the toilet in three weeks by the time it became acute, and I somehow managed to ignore that.’

She also thinks that women could have a tendency to ignore symptoms, explained: ‘Particularly as women, if we have symptoms in the abdominal region generally we say “I’ve got to toughen up – that’s something to do with my cycle” or “It’s a hormonal issue” and we’ve grown up knowing every month we have pain and we just have to get on with it.

‘So we have that tendency to grin and bear it and I think there is a flow there to the medical profession where they are very quick to dismiss a woman with pain.’

The Channel 4 star urged anyone who has had a change in bowel movements to get it checked out.

Mel added: ‘It’s not an old person’s disease anymore. It used to be thought of that way but I’ve been flooded with messages from people in their twenties and thirties who have said “I’ve had the same diagnosis as you Mel” or “I’m having similar symptoms. Thanks for the nudge, I’m going to get it checked out.”

‘So I think my message is, if you’re having symptoms, if you’re noticing a change in your bowel habits, let’s not be scared to talk about it anymore – it’s just poo.’