Married At First Sight (MAFS) star and celebrity Melanie Schilling is among the famous faces hoping to assist contestants in winning substantial cash prizes on Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel. The One quiz show has returned, with the comedian maintaining order among the celebrities and keeping contestants composed.
One of the stars is Melanie Schilling, known for her role as a dating expert on Married At First Sight, alongside Paul C. Brunson and Charlene Douglas.
The Australian aids contestants in finding their ideal match. Mel provides level-headed and practical advice to the show’s guests, serving as a counterbalance to the occasionally excessive and unbelievable antics of the brides and grooms.
The 52 year old Australian found her own Mr Right in Gareth Brisbane after being single throughout her thirties. The couple now have a daughter and split their time between Australia and the UK.
But what else do we know about her life away from the camera?
Mel Schilling’s family kitchen has matching dark oak worktops to compliment the flooring. They often have pink and white flowers around the house, to soften and brighten their home. (Image: Instagram)
Life and career of Mel Schilling
Mel is an author, TV presenter, coach and consultant specialising in human behaviour and performance. She joined MAFS in 2016 and has featured in eight series of the Australian edition, as well as two UK series.
With over 20 years of experience in human behavioural performance and purpose, she is known on MAFS for holding individuals accountable for their actions without making excuses.
Mel Schilling’s cancer diagnosis and recovery
In 2023, Schilling revealed her battle with colon cancer and underwent surgery to remove a tumour during the Christmas season.
The operation was a success, and she has since received additional treatment. The star expressed gratitude for the incredible support from her family and the MAFS team, who provided “wonderful” assistance as she received treatment during the production of the latest series.
Married at First Sight star Mel Schilling fought cancer after being diagnosed last year (Image: Instagram/ @mel_schilling1)
Discussing her cancer journey amid the UK series filming, she shared: “I was going through chemo the whole time we were filming the UK series,” acknowledging the difficulty but also the immense support from the crew.
“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.
“I would say I have almost all my energy back, so I’m starting to feel like me again,” she said with a bright smile while discussing the latest season of MAFS UK.
Mel is married to Gareth Brisbane and they share a daughter named Maddie (Image: @mel_schilling1)
Inside Mel Schilling’s marriage and family life
Mel encountered her future husband Gareth about 13 years ago on the dating site eHarmony. They exchanged vows in Bali in 2018 and share a nine year old daughter named Madison.
Known affectionately as Maddie, their daughter arrived after the couple experienced a miscarriage and went through IVF treatment.
Mel revealed to OK! Magazine in 2021 how her life changed after meeting Gareth during a period of dedicated self-discovery and career focus. She shared: “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.
Melanie Brisbane-Schilling is happily married and splits her time between the UK and Australia (Image: Mel Schilling Instagram)
“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?
Currently residing in London, Mel Schilling spends time in her native Australia for the filming of MAFS, having previously lived in Brighton, but now calls a beautiful London property home.
Alongside husband Gareth, daughter Maddie, and their beloved dog, they enjoy their cosy family space, complete with an extensive garden and a luxurious outdoor pool, perfect for enjoying the summer sunshine.
Her home’s interior features stunning oak wooden flooring in the kitchen and living area, beautifully contrasted with white cabinets and enhanced by brass lighting fixtures. She also takes pride in her extensive, vibrant and glittering shoe collection.
While filming MAFS, Mel disclosed that Gareth and their daughter Maddie would accompany her to Australia. However, the recent round of filming necessitated Maddie and Gareth’s return to the UK for school, leaving Mel alone for a two-month period.