Elizabeth Day, the podcast co-host and close friend of Mel Schilling, has shared a deeply emotional tribute recalling their final days together following Schilling's tragic death. The Married At First Sight relationship expert passed away at age 54 on Tuesday, just days after revealing her cancer had metastasized to her brain. Schilling was first diagnosed with colon cancer in 2023.
Final Moments and Emotional Memories
After Schilling's husband Gareth announced her death on social media, where he spoke movingly about her love for him and their 10-year-old daughter Madison, tributes poured in from friends, colleagues, and fans worldwide. Elizabeth Day, 47, who co-hosted the How To Date podcast with Schilling, has now opened up about their last precious time together in a heartfelt statement.
A Radiant Presence
'I never truly understood the meaning of the phrase "she lights up a room" until I encountered Mel,' Elizabeth began. 'There existed an inner radiance about her; a genuine sparkle and dazzle that transcended mere physical appearance. It wasn't simply about her smile or obvious beauty, nor was it just the sequins she adored or glittery eyeshadow she favored. This quality ran much deeper—it was the profound generosity that accompanied everything she did.'
'She genuinely wanted others to shine brightly, to feel special and truly loved. Being in her company created a sense that anything could be possible.'
Professional Brilliance and Personal Strength
Elizabeth continued: 'Like countless viewers, I first fell in love with Mel through her work on Married At First Sight. Her insights delivered from the expert couch were consistently brilliant, filled with genuine insight and heartfelt compassion. Yet when someone required calling to account, she did so without hesitation. She possessed remarkable strength, but that strength carried an undeniable elegance.'
'Those who received Mel's famous arched eyebrow always deserved it—typically the bullies, misogynists, and narcissists. She executed this with such skill! Often, victims wouldn't even realize their nastiness had been expertly removed, much like bones from a Dover sole by a particularly skilled waiter.'
Podcast Partnership and Personal Connection
'The MAFS contestants rightly adored Mel. She taught many of them how to love authentically—and, crucially, how to begin believing they deserved love themselves. When I conceived the idea for a podcast called How To Date, I only ever envisioned Mel as the host. I felt incredibly fortunate when she agreed. She was amazing, naturally—a complete professional who believed wholeheartedly in the project. She believed in me, which represented a special kind of gift.'
The "Why Not?" Philosophy
'Mel's attitude consistently embraced "why not?" Why not aim exceptionally high? Why not dance until the early morning hours? Why not enjoy another spicy margarita? Why not meet the love of your life online at age 39? This last point was something we shared in common.'
'All these qualities meant I struggled to believe her when she revealed her cancer had returned. Mel was so vividly ALIVE. It felt like a cosmic practical joke—the universe saying: "haha just kidding, I had you going there for a moment!" I simply knew she would be okay.'
'Except that she wasn't.'
The Final Goodbye
Opening up about their last encounter, Elizabeth revealed: 'She informed me over Christmas that the cancer had spread further. I didn't comprehend how little time we had remaining. I feel profoundly blessed that I saw her the week before she passed away.'
She added: '"My girl," she said, and we squeezed each other's hands tightly. Mel brought so much love into this world. It brings me happiness to know she found love with the amazing Gareth and their incredible daughter Maddie. Witnessing that family navigate the unimaginable has been a lesson in courage and grace—a lesson in love, most importantly.'
Legacy of Love and Light
'I feel immense sadness that she's gone, naturally. I still possess all those voicenotes we exchanged. All the photos and videos—the digital trails of our friendship. But I also sense that pulsating, vivid energy of hers pushing through life's atmosphere, urging us all forward, encouraging us to ask Why Not about love, about ourselves, and about each other.'
'My girl. Travel safely. Love you.'
Bravery Until the End
Elizabeth also shared a photograph from the day after Mel learned her cancer had spread, showing the television personality wearing a sparkly dress and putting on a brave face. She explained: 'She received the news about her cancer returning the day before our How To Date launch party, held with cruel irony on Valentine's Day.'
'She attended that party anyway, swathed in fabulous gold sequins, looking absolutely stunning. We danced to House of Pain's Jump Around. We jointly cut into a camp, pink wedding cake. She showed up. She always showed up.'
Cancer Journey and Final Messages
Mel Schilling first publicly revealed her colon cancer diagnosis in December 2023, undergoing surgery to remove a 5cm tumor. In a lengthy Instagram post last week, she disclosed that doctors discovered the cancer had metastasized to her lungs in 2024, and over Christmas they found it had spread to her brain.
Mel 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.'
Family Tributes
Announcing her death, her devastated husband Gareth wrote: 'Melanie Jane Brisbane-Schilling passed away peacefully today, surrounded by love. 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 her remaining strength, and that gesture perfectly encapsulated our wee Melsie. Even then, her only thought was for Maddie and me.'
'This is a woman who became a new mother and television star at 42—and excelled at both. This is a woman who, through two years of chemotherapy when she could barely lift her head from the pillow, never complained and never stopped demonstrating courage, grace, compassion, and empathy, never missing a single day of filming.'
'To most of you, she was Mel Schilling—matriarch of MAFS and queen of reality television. To Maddie and me, she was our wee Melsie: an incredible mother, role model, and soulmate.'
Channel 4's Poignant Statement
Channel 4, which broadcasts Married At First Sight in the UK, released an official statement paying tribute to 'our friend who radiated joy, warmth, and optimism.' The network stated: 'All of us at Channel 4 are incredibly saddened by the news of Mel's death. Our thoughts and condolences are, first and foremost, with her family and loved ones.'
'We're privileged to be the channel that is home to Mel's work, which was at the heart of Married at First Sight's phenomenal success, both in the UK and Australia. It reflected so much about her—her fierce advocacy for other women, her passion for healthy relationships, and her mission to unite people in love.'
'Just as importantly, we'd like to pay tribute to Mel as a person. For many who work for Channel 4, Mel was not just a colleague but a friend, someone who radiated joy, warmth, and optimism, who energized every room she entered with humor and positivity. Everyone who knew her will miss all this about her and much more. We share in the sorrow that we're sure many viewers will now feel at this terrible loss.'
Understanding Colon Cancer
Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, affects the large bowel comprising the colon and rectum. These tumors typically develop from pre-cancerous growths called polyps. Key symptoms include bleeding from the bottom, blood in stools, changes in bowel habits lasting at least three weeks, unexplained weight loss, extreme fatigue, and abdominal pain.
While most cases have no clear cause, risk factors include being over 50, having a family history of the condition, personal history of bowel polyps, inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's disease, and unhealthy lifestyle choices. Treatment usually involves surgery combined with chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
More than 90% of people diagnosed with stage 1 bowel cancer survive five years or longer after diagnosis. Unfortunately, only approximately one-third of all colorectal cancers are detected at this early stage. Most patients present when the disease has spread beyond the colon or rectum wall or to distant body parts, significantly reducing chances of successful cure.
According to Bowel Cancer UK statistics, over 41,200 people receive bowel cancer diagnoses annually in the UK. In the United States, the National Cancer Institute reports approximately 40 cases per 100,000 adults each year.
