Late MAFS expert Mel Schilling honoured by husband on first wedding anniversary since her tragic passing

Four months after her death sent shock waves across Australian reality TV, the widower of Married At First Sight star Mel Schilling marked their wedding anniversary.

The popular dating coach, psychologist and TV presenter was diagnosed with colon cancer in December 2023, which saw her undergo a tumour removal surgery and receive a positive prognosis.

In March, however, the star revealed the illness had returned over Christmas and had spread to her brain, with doctors telling her there were no treatment options left.

Eleven days later, the MAFS presenter passed from cancer at age 54.

On the first wedding anniversary since Schilling’s shock passing, her husband Gareth shared a touching tribute to her Instagram followers.

“It’s hard to reconcile that the anniversary of the happiest day of my life could become one of the saddest,” the post began.

“We didn’t quite make 8 years married or 15 years together but what a love and what a life we had!

“By the end of our first date I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you and my love for you burned even brighter, even as your own light faded.”

Gareth also shared a beautiful message about the couple’s 11-year-old daughter Maddie.

“Sleep easy my girl, I hope you know that Maddie and I are in the best possible place to continue healing.

“She is every inch your daughter and you would be so proud of the remarkable young woman she is becoming.

“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.”

The post, which was accompanied with a photo of the couple kissing on their wedding day, was quickly flooded with support for the family.

John Aiken, Schilling’s former MAFS colleague, called Gareth’s post “simply beautiful”.

Famed 00s singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor commented three red hearts under the tribute, as did the widow of late Masterchef star Jock Zonfrillo.

Former Season 13 contestant Bec Zacharia said she “forever missed Mel”.

Gareth’s moving wedding tribute to his late wife comes just three months after he shared plans for the family’s next chapter.

In late April, Schilling’s widower revealed Mel had been “laid to rest” in a private ceremony.

Some of the MAFS star’s ashes were spread at the lighthouse in Gareth’s hometown of Whitehead in Northern Ireland, which the family said was Schilling’s wish.

“It’s a special place that really resonated with her,” he wrote at the time.

Gareth and daughter Maddie have since relocated to Bali, which he said was “a place that we all loved”.

“No better place to heal, a place that we all loved and where we still have some of our dearest friends who had the most wonderful blessing ceremony for Mel at our new villa.”