Married At First Sight Australia experts John Aiken and Alessandra Rampolla have admitted that filming a new series of the programme without Mel Schilling has been "difficult at times".
Bittersweet return to filming
John Aiken and Alessandra Rampolla worked with Mel prior to her death in March, following a battle with cancer. Mel had become a cherished part of the Australian and UK versions of the reality show, which follows a group of strangers who meet for the first time on their wedding days and proceed to live as married couples.
Season 14 of the Australian programme is now in production, and the cast can feel Mel's absence. "It's a little bittersweet, because, you know, with Mel not being here now," John told Nine. "It's sort of difficult at times. But, you know, we are flying the Married At First Sight flag."
Creating something new
Alessandra added: "It's very different this year, but we are really enjoying the process of creating something new also." Channel Nine has yet to confirm Mel's replacement, but relationship expert Brigitte Zonta is reportedly in the running.
As for what fans can expect from the upcoming series, John revealed that they are currently filming the early stages of the experiment. He said: "It's early on in the experiment. So, with that being the case, they're really being tested in terms of whether they're able to open up and let someone in or whether they're just gonna keep to their old patterns and basically rule people out."
Mel's final message
Alessandra added: "We're right at the part where it gets really exciting because we just don't know who's gonna make it and who won't." Mel passed away "surrounded by love" earlier this year at the age of 54.
Her husband Gareth Brisbane, with whom she shared daughter Maddie, announced the news on social media in a statement that read: "Melanie Jane Brisbane-Schilling passed away peacefully today, surrounded by love."
It went on: "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."
Married at First Sight Australia is streaming on Channel 4.
