This Morning hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary sent a heartfelt message to dating expert Mel Schilling after the Married At First Sight star announced she has untreatable cancer

This Morning presenters Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary have sent a touching message to the programme’s dating expert Mel Schilling after her devastating cancer announcement.

The Married At First Sight star has revealed on social media that doctors have informed her she has untreatable cancer and is uncertain how long she has remaining.

Whilst she’s primarily recognised for MAFS, Mel is a well-known figure amongst ITV’s This Morning viewers as she regularly provides dating guidance. Dermot said during Friday’s broadcast on 13 March: “Mel Schilling who does dating phone ins for us and a well known face on Married At First Sight announced on social media that the cancer she has been fighting has spread.”

Alison added: “Mel is now concentrating on spending time with people she loves especially husband Gareth and daughter Maddie. We just wanted to send our love Mel, huge amounts of love from all of us here at This Morning and we are all praying for a miracle my darling.”

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Dermot and Alison sent a message to Mel(Image: ITV)

The television personality received a colon cancer diagnosis in 2023 and has now been told at 54 years old that medical professionals can offer no further treatment, reports the Daily Star.

Mel left MAFS Australia recently – though she appears in the current E4 series – and has now shared with followers that doctors had told her the cancer had reached the left side of her brain, causing headaches and numbness – and that no additional treatment was possible.

On Thursday evening she posted an extensive and emotional statement to her followers on Instagram, writing: “In December 2023 I was diagnosed with colon cancer after a tumour the size of a lemon was discovered during a scan. “Terry,” as I called him, was successfully removed and I was initially given the all clear – that much many of you already know.”

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Mel announced the heartbreaking news of her terminal diagnosis and posted a photo of her family(Image: INSTAGRAM/mel_schilling1)

She continued: “Unfortunately, in late February 2024 during a routine scan, small nodules were discovered in my lungs. The cancer had metastasised and my world changed again in an instant.

“Over the past two years, whilst filming MAFS, I underwent 16 rounds of chemotherapy and was later told I was eligible for a ground-breaking clinical trial specific to my gene type, due to start in March 2026. Once again, my optimism soared that I might beat this thing.”

Mel then heartbreakingly revealed she had been given additional devastating information and stated she was uncertain how much time she had left. She continued: “Over Christmas, however, I began experiencing blinding headaches and numbness down my right side.

“After many tests I was told the cancer had spread to the left side of my brain and, despite subsequent radiotherapy sessions, my oncology team have now told me there is nothing further they can do.

“Hearing those words changes everything. So that’s where I am now. My light is starting to fade – and quickly. But I am still here, still fighting, and surrounded by the most incredible love.”

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