Mel Schilling, an Australian psychologist and dating expert who guided couples on the reality program ‘Married at First Sight’, died on Tuesday, 24th March, 2026. She was 54.

The New York Times reports that her husband, Gareth Brisbane, announced the death in a statement on social media. The statement did not say where she died.

Ms. Schilling was diagnosed with colon cancer in December 2023. Two weeks ago, she announced that the disease had spread to her brain.

“I honestly don’t know how long I have left,” she wrote at the time.

She became famous as a dating coach on “Married at First Sight,” a reality TV franchise in which single people marry complete strangers, then navigate their new marriage with the help of relationship experts such as Ms. Schilling.

She joined the Australian version of the show in 2016 and also appeared on several seasons of the British version.

She was also a regular on other British and Australian television programs, often appearing on morning shows and radio to give dating advice.