Mel Schilling, the relationship coach from Married At First Sight, has passed away at the age of 54, her family has shared. According to a statement posted on her Instagram account, she died on Tuesday (March 24).

The TV star, famous for giving relationship tips on the popular Channel 4 reality dating show, was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2023. Earlier this month, she said that her cancer had spread to the left side of her brain, and that there was "nothing more" doctors could do to help her.

She mentioned that she went through 16 rounds of chemotherapy and then had radiotherapy while filming for Married At First Sight. Schilling had earlier said she would be taking a break from the Australian version of the show after being on the expert panel for 12 seasons.

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The statement said: "Melanie Jane Brisbane-Schilling passed away peacefully today, surrounded by love. In her final moments, when I thought cancer had taken away her ability to speak, she ushered me closer and whispered a message for Maddie and me that will sustain me for the rest of my life.

"It took all of her remaining strength, and that gesture summed up our wee Melsie perfectly. Even then, her only thought was for Maddie and me. This is a woman who became a new mum and a TV star at 42 — and nailed both. This is a woman who, through two years of chemotherapy, when she could barely lift her head from the pillow, never complained and never stopped showing courage, grace, compassion and empathy, and never missed a day of filming.

"To most of you, she was Mel Schilling — matriarch of MAFS and queen of reality TV. To Maddie and me, she was our wee Melsie: an incredible mum, role model, and soulmate. On behalf of our family and her incredible friendship group, thank you for the support from around the world."

According to the NHS, bowel cancer is cancer found anywhere in the large bowel, which includes the colon and rectum. It's one of the most common types of cancer in the UK. Bowel cancer screening can pick up bowel cancer early, which may mean it's easier to treat.

• changes in your poo, such as having softer poo, diarrhoea or constipation that is not usual for you


• needing to poo more or less often than usual for you


• blood in your poo, which may look red or black


• bleeding from your bottom


• often feeling like you need to poo, even if you've just been to the toilet


• tummy pain


• a lump in your tummy


• bloating


• losing weight without trying


• feeling very tired or short of breath – these are signs of anaemia, which can be caused by bowel cancer

The NHS recommends people see a GP if they have had any symptoms of bowel cancer for three weeks or more. It adds: "Try not to be embarrassed. The doctor or nurse will be used to talking about these symptoms.

"Some of these symptoms are very common and can be caused by other conditions. Having the symptoms does not definitely mean you have bowel cancer, but it's important to get checked by a GP. If your symptoms are caused by cancer, finding it early may mean it's easier to treat."

It's not always known what causes bowel cancer, but it can be caused by genetic changes, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Having certain health conditions can also make you more likely to get bowel cancer. You may be more likely to get bowel cancer if:

• you're over 50


• you smoke


• you're overweight


• a close relative has had bowel cancer


• you have inflammatory bowel disease, which includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis


• you have small growths in your bowel called bowel polyps


• you have Lynch Syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis