MAFS Expert John Aiken Overwhelmed by Emotion Discussing Co-Star's Terminal Diagnosis
Married At First Sight relationship expert John Aiken broke down in tears during a television interview on Friday evening, as he addressed the devastating terminal cancer diagnosis of his long-time co-star Mel Schilling. The emotional segment aired on A Current Affair, where Aiken spoke with host Allison Langdon about Schilling's heartbreaking health update from the previous day.
Devastating Health Update Leaves Co-Star in Shock
Mel Schilling, aged 54, informed her followers on Thursday that her cancer had spread to her brain, with doctors confirming there is nothing more they can do medically. The MAFS star, who first revealed a colon cancer diagnosis in December 2023, shared that she doesn't know how much longer she has left to live.
'It's just so unbelievable how quickly this disease has got on top of her,' Aiken said through tears. 'She's an amazing woman. Such a bright shining light, and she is a fighter. We knew that she had cancer on and off for two years, but she never complained, never let on what was going on. This has come as a complete shock to all of us.'
Remembering Precious Moments Behind the Scenes
The 55-year-old relationship expert, who starred alongside Schilling for eleven seasons of the popular reality television program, reminisced about their time together since she joined the show in 2016. Fighting back tears, Aiken described spending recent hours looking through photographs and listening to music that reminded him of his colleague.
'I've spent a lot of time over the last 24 hours just going through photos and listening to music because she's a very big fan of 80s music,' he revealed. 'A lot of people don't realize that before we go on set we're often singing and dancing in the hair and make-up room before we go on and call out bad behaviour on the set with these couples.'
Praise for Schilling's Dedication as Mother and Professional
Aiken commended his co-star for being an exceptional mother to her ten-year-old daughter Maddie, whom she conceived through IVF with husband Gareth Brisbane. He highlighted how Schilling balanced her professional commitments with family life, frequently traveling between the United Kingdom and Australia for filming.
'She's a real force to be reckoned with. A force of nature,' Aiken stated. 'She would fly over from the UK, she'd do our show. She'd have to fly back several times, but always at the forefront of her mind was her daughter Maddie and her husband Gareth. They were a driving force for her and I would often see her as I was getting made up, she was out the back FaceTiming Maddie, taking photos, getting fashion checks from her.'
Hopes for a Final Goodbye Amidst Tragic Circumstances
Aiken expressed his desire to travel to the United Kingdom to see Schilling one final time, noting that he had taken over her role on MAFS UK with the intention of keeping the position warm for her return next year. That plan has now taken what he described as a tragic turn.
'I'm stepping in to do MAFS UK, which she was all across and I had her blessing, and I really did it with the full intention of keeping the seat warm for her so she could take over next year,' he explained. 'But that's taken a real tragic turn. So, I hope I get a chance to see her while I'm in London, just to connect one more time.'
From Hope to Heartbreak: The Progression of Schilling's Illness
Schilling first informed Aiken earlier this year that her cancer had spread to her brain, following initial diagnoses of colon cancer in 2023 and subsequent metastasis to her lungs. Despite the grim prognosis, Aiken maintained hope that his colleague would overcome the disease due to her determined attitude.
'I just kept texting her, sending her photos, saying I'm in your corner, sending her voice messages, and thinking she was going to beat it,' he shared. 'And just last night I found out she'll, you know, it's not gonna happen.'
In a particularly poignant moment, Aiken reflected on how aging changes life's milestones. 'It's difficult as you get older. I'm not going to many weddings now, and instead I'm going to more funerals,' he noted. 'It's very important to make the most of the people that are with you at the time that they're standing in front of you because they can go quickly.'
Schilling's Courageous Battle Against Aggressive Cancer
Mel Schilling's health journey has been marked by resilience throughout her two-year battle. The television personality underwent sixteen rounds of chemotherapy while continuing to film Married At First Sight, demonstrating remarkable dedication to her work. She was scheduled to begin a new clinical trial this March, but over Christmas began experiencing severe headaches and numbness down her right side.
Medical tests revealed the cancer had spread to her brain, leading to the terminal diagnosis. In her emotional Instagram statement, Schilling wrote: 'I honestly don’t know how long I have left, but I do know I will fight to my last breath and will be surrounded by the love and support of my people. My light is starting to fade - and quickly.'
The reality television community and fans worldwide have rallied around Schilling and her family during this difficult time, with Aiken's emotional interview highlighting the deep bonds formed among the show's experts over years of working together.
