Relationship expert Brigitte Zonta, known professionally as Dr Lurve, has reportedly been lined up for the next series of Married At First Sight Australia as a replacement for the late Mel Schilling.
Mel Schilling first appeared on the show in 2016 for its second Australian season and also featured on the British edition. The relationship expert lost her battle with cancer and died in March.
Brigitte describes herself as "Australia's no.1 relationship coach" and is expected to take a seat on the sofa alongside sexologist Alessandra Rampolla and John Aitken for the upcoming season.
According to The Sun, Brigitte's Instagram indicates she has been travelling, and her account has been switched to private. It is thought she has returned to Australia to start filming.
Insider: 'She has her own voice'
A TV insider told the publication: "No one can replace Mel, and that is not what they are asking Dr Lurve to do. She has her own voice, her own energy and her own way of connecting with people.
"She can be warm and entertaining, but she can also cut through the excuses when somebody is not being honest."
The Mirror has contacted representatives for comment.
UK series in doubt after allegations
The future of the British version of the show has been uncertain since May, when it emerged that the programme would not air on Channel 4 following a BBC Panorama investigation into the show.
Two female contestants have alleged that they were raped during filming by the men they were paired with. The allegations, along with other welfare concerns raised by Panorama, have cast a shadow over the production.
The UK series has already been filmed but will not be broadcast on the channel in September. A source told the Mirror that all plans for the show have been paused.
Channel 4 removed all episodes from its streaming platform and removed MAFS UK social media content, releasing a statement saying the programme was "produced under some of the most comprehensive and robust welfare protocols in the industry".
The statement added that the show includes "most thorough background checks available, a Code of Conduct which clearly sets out behavioural standards, daily contributor check-ins with a specialist welfare team and access to additional support before, during and after filming."
In April, Channel 4 said it "was presented with serious allegations of wrongdoing against a small number of past contributors, allegations that we understand those contributors have denied."
