Married At First Sight Australia has reportedly found its next relationship expert for the programme, with Dr Lurve – real name Brigitte Zonta – understood to have signed on for the 2027 season.
The news comes after the death of Mel Schilling, the beloved dating coach who died in March at the age of 54. Doctors had informed her that the cancer she had been diagnosed with had spread to her brain.
The Australian native and psychologist-turned-TV host was first diagnosed with colon cancer in December 2023 and underwent 16 rounds of chemotherapy while filming MAFS. She helmed the expert panel of the Aussie franchise for 12 seasons and also appeared in five series of the UK version on Channel 4.
Earlier this year, Schilling announced she would be stepping back from filming to prioritise her family and health. As filming was underway, MAFS Australia expert John Aiken stepped in to replace her for the remainder of the latest UK series.
Dr Lurve joins the expert panel
According to the Daily Mail, Dr Lurve, whose real name is Brigitte Zonta, has signed on for the show's 2027 season. She bills herself as Australia's number one relationship expert on her Instagram and is reportedly set to join longtime expert Aiken and sexologist Alessandra Rampolla on the panel for the 14th series.
No official announcement has been made by broadcaster Nine yet. Zonta's Instagram states she is currently travelling, and she is said to have been abroad when she received the news.
A production insider described Zonta as an "ideal television personality" to the publication, stating she combines "extensive relationship knowledge" with "an ability to explain complicated ideas in a way viewers can immediately understand". They also claimed she will not shy away from confrontations over "questionable behaviour", which has become a hallmark of the chaotic reality show.
"No one can replace Mel, and that is not what they are asking Dr Lurve to do," the source said. "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."
They went on to say that Zonta understands modern dating and can pick at why singletons go for the "wrong person". "She will be looking at whether the participants' words and behaviour actually match. That is going to make her very interesting at the dinner parties and commitment ceremonies," they concluded.
Metro contacted Brigitte Zonta and Nine for comment on this story.
