MAFS star Davide Anica wrote: ‘Rest in peace angel. You will be missed. My throught and prayers are with @mel_schilling1 family.’

Sophie Ellis-Bextor penned: ‘I never met Mel, but I always thought she came across so well and spoke a lot of sense. Sending love to all who knew her and will endeavour to appreciate the days I have and honour her memory. Xx’

Celebs Go Dating coach and friend of Mel’s Anna Williamson wrote: ‘What a woman. A fighter til the end, an end that was far far too soon. All of our Channel 4 family are grieving the loss of Mel. She touched a lot of people on and off screen.

‘As her E4 “stable mate” and with a love of coaching others and juggling being telly mums we naturally gravitated towards eachother, held a deep respect for eachother and became friends. Mel was always optimistic in spirit about her cancer diagnosis and fight for recovery.

‘She never complained when she’d message, and was always putting in the fight for her Gareth and Maddie. Many people were touched by Mel and benefited from her badass approach to life, her work and her family and I know that legacy will continue.

‘And it’s her beautiful family who my heart goes out to in particular, I can only imagine the pain at her loss, the sheer love and pride she had for her Gareth & Maddie was off the charts!! A fiercely proud wife and mama ❤️ Rest now my friend. Thanks for the always cheery voicenotes “just because”.’

Fearne Cotton posted a string of heart emojis and good friend Bryony Gordon wrote, ‘I’m so sorry to hear this. Sending much love to you all xxxx.’

MAFS star Matt Pilmoor wrote: ‘Heart breaking, such an incredible lady. Thoughts to all her family and friends.’

Vicky Pattison commented: ‘Absolutely heartbreaking. A beautiful woman inside and out… my thoughts are with your family and friends.’

Elizabeth Day, Mel’s friend who she co-hosted the How To Date podcast with, wrote a lengthy statement on Instagram alongside a series of photos from their friendship.

‘I never understood the truth of the phrase “she lights up a room” until I met Mel,’ Elizabeth wrote. ‘There was an inner radiance to her; a spark; a dazzle. It wasn’t just the smile or the obvious beauty. It wasn’t just the sequins she loved or the glittery eyeshadow. It was deeper than that. It was the generosity that accompanied it…

‘She was told the cancer had come back the day before our launch party for How To Date, held with cruel irony on Valentine’s Day. She came to that party, swathed in fabulous gold sequins, looking 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.

‘She told me over Christmas that the cancer had spread. I didn’t know how little time we’d have left. I’m so blessed that I got to see her the week before she died.

‘”My girl,” she said and we squeezed each other’s hands. Mel brought so much love to the world. It makes me happy to think that she found love with the amazing Gareth and their incredible daughter Maddie. To watch that family go through the unimaginable has been a lesson in courage and grace. A lesson in love, most of all.

‘I feel so sad she’s gone, of course. I still have all those voicneotes we sent each other. All the photos and videos: the digital trails of friendship. But I also feel that pulsating, vivid energy of hers pushing through the atmosphere of life, urging us all forwards, encouraging us to ask Why Not of love, of ourselves and of each other.

‘My girl. Travel safe. Love you.’

In 2023, Mel had thanked the NHS for treating her so well and wrote: ‘I wanted to say that everyone in the UK should be incredibly proud of the people of the NHS.

‘I’m not talking about the funding, the structure or the waiting lists, just the people.

‘Everyone from my consultant to the surgical team and especially the wonderful nurses managing my recovery have been just superb.

‘It’s not just their professionalism but also their genuine concern, bedside manner (especially the nurses) and their endlessly sunny disposition, despite working up to 14 hour days.’

In a lengthy Instagram post last week, she revealed that she found out her cancer had metastasised to her lungs in 2024, and over Christmas it was discovered it had spread to her brain.

Mel had written: ‘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.’

She explained that she has undergone 16 rounds of chemotherapy during the past two years while also filming MAFS.

She was due to start a new clinical trial this March, however over Christmas she began experiencing blinding headaches and numbness down her right side.

After tests it was discovered the cancer has spread to her brain and there is nothing further doctors can do. She wrote: ‘My light is starting to fade – and quickly.’

Sharing a photo with her husband Gareth and daughter Madison Mel’s full statement read: ‘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.

‘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, while filming MAFS, I underwent 16 rounds of chemotherapy and was later told I was eligible for a groundbreaking clinical trial specific to my gene type, due to start in March 2026. Once again, my optimism soared that I might beat this thing.

‘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.

‘Simple tasks have become incredibly difficult and I am relying on my beautiful family to look after me. 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.

‘At the outset of this journey, so many of you sent the most wonderful messages of support. They have meant more than I can ever properly express and have helped shape the mindset I’ve needed to keep fighting. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

‘If I could leave you with one thing, it would simply be this: if something doesn’t feel right, please get it checked out. It might just save your life.

‘These two beside me are my everything. With love and gratitude, Mell’.

Last month Mel announced she was stepping away from the Australian series of MAFS after starring on the show since season two.

In a heartfelt statement, Mel revealed the decision came after careful consideration, citing ongoing health challenges and the strain of splitting her life between Australia and the UK.

‘After 12 extraordinary seasons, I have made the heartfelt decision to step away from my role as an expert on Married At First Sight Australia,’ she said.

‘This hasn’t been a choice I’ve made lightly. In recent years, my health challenges and living in the UK spending up to three months a year away from my family is no longer sustainable.’

She continued: ‘It has become clear that I must make a change that puts my family, health and time at the very centre of my life.’

Mel’s love for Gareth and Maddie was so clear for all to see.

She spoke to WHO Magazine about her wedding day, and said: ‘I had a bit of a cry on the day. It’s just the meaning of it all.

‘I was a late bloomer in life, like, I didn’t meet my husband until I was nearly 40 and then we had our daughter when I was nearly 42, so to be finally saying our “I dos” was an emotional time. It was very special.’

Maddie’s birth was quite a miracle, because Mel had previously had a miscarriage. Mel was very open about her decision to have IVF.

In an interview with OK!, she said, ‘I got pregnant when I was 40 and had a miscarriage and that really changed things. That was a real eye-opener and just made me realise how much I wanted a child. Both of us did.’

Genevieve Edwards, chief executive of Bowel Cancer UK, paid tribute to Mel on Tuesday: ‘We are deeply saddened to hear of Mel Schilling’s death and send our heartfelt condolences to her family and loved ones.

‘Mel’s courage in speaking so openly about bowel cancer, from her diagnosis through to treatment and everything in between, has already made a profound difference.

‘By sharing her story, she has helped raise vital awareness and encouraged countless people to listen to their bodies and contact their GP when something doesn’t feel right. That message has the power to save lives.

‘Every 12 minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with bowel cancer, making it the UK’s fourth most common cancer.

‘If you’re experiencing symptoms of bowel cancer like bleeding from your bottom, blood in your poo or a change in your pooing habits, please contact your GP to ask for an at-home test.’