MAFS star and celebrity Melanie Schilling is one of the celebrities hoping to help contestants win big cash prizes on Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel. The BBC One quiz show is back on our screens with the comedian keeping various famous faces in check and keeping contestants calm and collected.
One of the stars is Melanie Schilling of Married At First Sight fame, who serves as one of the show’s dating experts, alongside Paul C. Brunson and Charlene Douglas. The Australian helps contestants find their perfect match.
Mel offers calm and sensible advice to the show’s guests, which is a tonic to the sometimes over-the-top and unbelievable behaviour of the brides and grooms.
The Australian took her own time to find her Mr Right, with the 52-year-old now married to Gareth Brisbane after being single throughout her thirties. The pair now have a daughter and enjoy life split between Australia and the UK.
But what else do we know about her life off-screen?
Life and career of Mel Schilling
Mel is an author, TV presenter, coach and consultant who specialises in human behaviour and performance. She joined MAFS in 2016 and has appeared on eight series of the Australian edition, as well as two UK series.
The expert has more than 20 years of experience in human behavioural performance and purpose. On MAFS, she is known for holding those accountable for their own actions and doesn’t make any excuses.
Cancer diagnosis and recovery
In 2023, Schilling announced she had colon cancer and had an operation to remove a tumour around the Christmas period.
The key-hole procedure was successful and has received further treatment. The star recalled her family and the MAFS crew have been incredibly supportive, offering “wonderful” help as she underwent treatment amidst the filming of the current series.
Opening up about her ordeal with cancer during the filming of the UK series, she disclosed: “I was going through chemo the whole time we were filming the UK series,” acknowledging how tough it was but also how much the team supported her.
“The team was just crowding around me to give me as much flexibility and support as they possibly could. They really cared for me. It wasn’t easy, but it was so wonderful to be able to work because it enabled me to still feel like me.”
Now post-treatment and feeling revitalised, Mel is enthusiastic: “I would say I have almost all my energy back, so I’m starting to feel like me again,” smiling broadly while she spoke about the lastest season of MAFS UK.
Inside Mel Schilling’s marriage and family life
Mel met her husband Gareth around 13 years ago after they found each other on dating website eHarmony.
They later got married in Bali in 2018 and have a nine-year-old daughter together called Madison. The couple welcomed Madison, also known as Maddie, following a miscarriage and then undergoing IVF.
Mel told OK! Magazine back in 2021 how she met Gareth after living her best life during her thirties, she said: “I was single for my entire thirties. I wasn’t interested in anyone. I was busy travelling the world, working overseas, I was all about building my business and just living a great life.
“And so we were both nearly 40 when we met, and he just turned my world upside down. I was not expecting that! We met on [dating website] eHarmony.
“He’s from Whitehead in Northern Ireland, but he was living in Adelaide, and I was in Melbourne.
“We did long distance for six weeks, which was really pivotal in the success of our relationship, because we didn’t physically meet for those six weeks, but we were communicating every day. And it was mostly email and text – I couldn’t talk to him on the phone at first, because I couldn’t understand his accent!”
Where does Mel Schilling live?
Mel Schilling’s family live in London and Mel travels back to her native Australia for MAFS filming. The family previously lived in Brighton before moving to the English capital.
The 52-year-old beloved TV personality now lives in a stunning London property with her husband Gareth, nine-year-old daughter Maddie and their adorable pet pooch.
Mel gave an insight into her home with OK! Magazine, as we take a look at her cosy family space. Their London home features plenty of outdoor space for their dog, boasting a large outdoor pool for the warmer summer months.
The interior of her home has gorgeous oak wooden floors in the kitchen and living area, which are brightened with white cabinets, and complimented with brass lighting fixtures. She also boasts a huge colourful and sparkling shoe collection.
During the filming of MAFS, Mel revealed Gareth and their daughter Maddie would travel with her to Australia. The recent batch of filming meant that Maddie and Gareth had to return to the UK for school and left Mel on her own for two months.