Married At First Sight relationship expert John Aiken has returned to film a new season of the dating show in Australia, marking the first production since the death of co-star Mel Schilling. Aiken described the experience as "bittersweet" while attending the Logie Awards in Sydney on Sunday.
A Bittersweet Return
Speaking to Nine.com.au at the event, Aiken, 56, said: "It's a little bittersweet because, you know, with Mel not being here now, it's sort of difficult at times. But, you know, we are flying the Married At First Sight flag."
Fellow expert Alessandra Rampolla, 52, agreed that the atmosphere on set has shifted. She said: "Yes, it's very different this year, but we are really enjoying the process of creating something new also."
Mel Schilling's Legacy
Mel Schilling died in March at the age of 54 after a battle with cancer. She was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2023, and although she was given the all clear, routine testing in 2024 found nodules in her lungs. She underwent chemotherapy, but in March this year she revealed the cancer was terminal and had spread to her brain.
Schilling served as a dating expert on the Australian version of Married at First Sight from 2016 until her death. She also appeared on the UK version, airing on E4, from 2021 until her last episode in 2025, alongside experts Paul C. Brunson and Charlene Douglas.
In a tribute earlier this year, Brunson praised Schilling's resilience, writing: "Despite the travel, the treatment, the strain on her body... she showed up fully. Every single time. Always with a smile, I never once heard her complain. That wasn't just professionalism. That was extraordinary strength." He added: "Mel was tough. A straight talker. Strong in every sense. But when she spoke about her daughter Maddie... and her husband Gareth... everything softened."
UK Show's Uncertain Future
Meanwhile, the UK version of Married at First Sight was pulled from the air after a Panorama investigation made allegations of serious crimes behind the scenes. Two former brides alleged they had been raped during the making of the series, and another made an allegation of a non-consensual sex act.
Channel 4 removed the show from its streaming and linear services, as well as social media channels, while the Met police asked anyone with information to come forward. Channel 4 CEO Priya Dogra said in May: "There have been some reports […] that the show has been cancelled. These are wholly inaccurate. No decision has been made on the broadcast of [the next season of the show], and any decision we do take will be made only after the review has concluded."
