The 'MAFS AU' 2026 moment John Aiken says summed up Mel Schilling perfectly

‘Married At First Sight Australia’ expert John Aiken has shared the “admiration” he has for his late friend and workmate Mel Schilling.

Sharyn Casey sat down with John on her podcast ‘A Little Bit Extra’, where he opened up about the heartbreaking passing and remembered Mel for being an “amazing and inspiring woman”.

Mel died aged 54 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was first diagnosed with colon cancer in December 2023. After surgery and an initial period of hope, the illness later spread to her lungs and brain, before she passed away on March 24.

John reflected on what it was like filming the most recent season of ‘MAFS’ alongside Mel, now knowing she was unwell during that time.

“I mean, she’s an amazing woman and never complained,” he said. “She was a real leader - someone that was just inspiring throughout the season. She was fierce, she was brilliant, both on and off set.”

He added that none of the cast or crew really knew the extent of her illness at the time.

“We didn’t really have an idea that she was not feeling well, so what you’re seeing is her in full flight,” John explained. 

“I have such admiration for her. I sat next to her for 10 years, and she never held back.”

John said Mel’s presence as an expert on the show was strong, particularly when tensions rose between couples, or in this year’s case, the friendships between the women.

“Mel was the one to jump in and give them a really good serve,” he said. “She had this wonderful ability to be a voice for women, and I love that about her.”

“But she could also be very compassionate for those couples that needed that sort of big warm hug, which she would give them.”

He mentioned a particular moment from this year’s experiment when groom Tyson walked out mid-commitment ceremony, leaving his on-screen wife Stephanie upset and alone.

“Mel immediately went over to give her a hug. We’d never seen that before - no expert had crossed over to the other side of the couch. But it was a beautiful moment,” he said.

“It summed up Mel. She could hold the space, be really caring and supportive, because she really loved love. That was her big thing.”

John added that while he can be “a bit more blunt,” Mel often brought the heart to the experiment.

She really was great in that way. She was very much the heart and soul of the show.

He also admitted it was a shock to see how quickly her health declined.

“It was a real surprise when she went downhill so quickly and passed. It was a massive blow for not just us in Australia, but people around the world.”

John, who has since begun filming for ‘MAFS UK’, said the outpouring of love for Mel has been felt overseas.

“You can’t replace someone like that. She made her role on the show very integral to the whole experiment,” he said.

“I think this year she was just in absolute glorious form. After working with someone for a decade, you get to know their rhythms. She was amazing off set as well. She was always very much upbeat, smiling, and kind of just lifted not only the experts, the cast, but also the production.”

And that’s exactly how Mel is being remembered - her kind, caring heart and big energy!