Mel Schilling's Married At First Sight UK co-star Paul C Brunson has shared an emotional tribute to his fearless, tough and deeply loved late friend and colleague.
Schilling, who starred on the reality TV show in her home country Australia and the UK, died on Tuesday, two years after being diagnosed with cancer.
E4 also read out a statement before the Australian edition of the show was broadcast in the UK on Tuesday, saying it was Mel and her family's wish that we carry on showing the programme after her death.
Brunson - who featured alongside Schilling as a fellow relationship coach on the UK version for five years - posted pictures of them together with a message hailing her extraordinary strength.
Schilling had been flying between Australia and the UK to film for the past two years while also going through chemotherapy, Brunson explained.
Despite the travel, the treatment, the strain on her body... she showed up fully, he said. Every single time. Always with a smile I never once heard her complain. That wasn't just professionalism. That was extraordinary strength.
Brunson went on to stress how fearless she had been on the show in defense of women and the LGBTQ+ community, noting, Mel was tough. A straight talker. Strong in every sense. But when she spoke about her daughter Maddie... and her husband Gareth... everything softened. He concluded, saying that Schilling had shown what it means to live your values and to show up with strength, even when it's hard.
Before Tuesday's show, an E4 announcer said: Everyone at Channel 4 is hugely saddened by the news we've lost Mel Schilling. It was Mel and her family's wish that we carry on showing Married At First Sight and celebrate her mission to help others find love and happiness.
