Mel

MAFS star Charlene Douglas has revealed the heartbreaking “final days” she spent with her late friend Mel Schilling following her tragic death.

The relationship expert said she was left “devastated” as she opened up about their last moments together.

Mel Schilling has tragically died aged 54 after a brave battle with colon cancer.

The much-loved dating coach was known for her invaluable work on both the Married At First Sight Australia and UK versions of the show.

She worked alongside Charlene Douglas on Married At First Sight UK.

The TV star shared an emotional tribute, reflecting on their close bond and the impact Mel had on her life.

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LAST OUTING

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Taking to Instagram, she wrote: “I’m both devastated and heartbroken to hear of the passing of my MAFS queen and friend Mel.

“I had the pleasure of spending time with Mel in her last days and will forever treasure the laughter, the memories and love we had for each other.

“Mel’s love for life, jokes and of course dancing will forever stay in my heart. What I wouldn’t give to be dancing to Beyoncé with you right now.

“Sleep in perfect peace Mel. Love you ♥️”

Mel was previously diagnosed with colon cancer in 2023, which later spread to her lungs and brain.

Her husband Gareth Brisbane announced the heartbreaking news today in an emotional Instagram post.

Alongside touching pictures of Mel, he said: “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 of her remaining strength, and that gesture summed up our wee Melsie perfectly. Even then, her only thought was for Maddie and me.”

He continued: “This is a woman who became a new mum and a TV star at 42 — and nailed 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 showing courage, grace, compassion and empathy, and never missed a day of filming.

“To most of you, she was Mel Schilling — matriarch of MAFS and queen of reality TV. To Maddie and me, she was our wee Melsie: an incredible mum, role model, and soulmate.”

Tributes have poured in for the TV star since the tragic announcement.

Channel 4 hailed Mel as a friend who “radiated joy, warmth and optimism”.

Issuing a statement, it said: “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.

“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 walked into, with humour 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.”

MEL B dropped a HUGE giveaway clue that the Spice Girls reunion had been cancelled with a “kiss my ass” post – hours before the official announcement was made.

It comes after The Sun exclusively revealed that a 30th anniversary tour had been scrapped, despite numerous hints from the five Spiceys that they were getting back together.

Mel B, AKA Scary Spice, 50, has become increasingly distant lately from bandmates Geri Horner, 53. Emma Bunton, 50, Mel C, 52, and Victoria Beckham, 51,

In her latest Instagram post she hinted that the possibility of a band reunion was off, when she shared a shady message.

It came when Mel posted a video of herself from behind in a bikini, and wrote: “I’m walkinn away from the NOISE… so if that’s what your bringing you can KISS MY (peach emoji).”

The Sun revealed there has been some tension behind-the-scenes, as plans were being put in place for a reunion tour.

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Mel B was notably absent from Emma’s 50th birthday celebrations at Soho Farmhouse in January.

She then was the only Spice Girl who was missing when the girls got together last month for a singalong at Victoria’s London home.

Fans couldn’t contain themselves when a video dropped of the girlband reuniting to sing Viva Forever.

The Sun revealed tonight how the tour, which would have celebrated 30 years of the Spice Girls, had been cancelled after they failed to pull their plans together in time.

All five women had been in talks to reunite for a string of concerts to mark three decades since the release of their debut single Wannabe.

But The Sun understands they failed to reach an agreement and plans for a comeback tour in 2026 have been ditched.

Confirming the news during an interview on Australia’s KIIS Radio, Mel C, 52, said: “No, there is no reunion.

“We are communicating all the time. We want to do something – who knows when.

“But I still feel very optimistic and I keep my fingers crossed that you will see the Spice Girls together at some point in the future.”

The Sun told last April how Geri, 53, was back in touch with the band’s former manager Simon Fuller and had flown out to Miami to try and agree on a deal.

However, in recent weeks, plans have fallen apart, with just a collectible coin from the Royal Mint being announced to mark the anniversary.

A planned Netflix drama based on the group was shelved last month amid tensions in the group.

The Spice Girls first got together in the early 90s before shooting to worldwide fame with their debut single Wannabe in 1996.

The fab five enjoyed a huge amount of success all over the globe with an army of fans following them everywhere.

In 1998, Geri shocked fans when she sensationally quit the band.

The group tried to continue as a foursome but ended up calling it a day in 2001.

All five Spice Girls then reunited in 2007 for a tour, and then again for the London Olympic Games in 2012.

However, Victoria chose not to join the band again when they went on tour in 2019.

Fans will now be hoping that this new video is a HUGE clue that the Spice Girls reunion tour WITH Posh will be now on the cards.

ALL Saints star Melanie Blatt says taking part in the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special stripped away her confidence.

The 1990s girl group singer, 50, said she did not feel comfortable in the flowing yellow dress she wore, which she said made her “look like custard”.

Speaking to Good Housekeeping UK she said: “I felt extremely vulnerable.

“It’s taken me 50 years to feel as good as I have ever felt about myself and Strictly stripped it away from me. Nothing dodgy went on — I think they’re on their best behaviour — but I just didn’t feel comfortable in a dress.”

Mum Mel and her professional dance partner Kai Widdrington finished fifth out of six couples after performing an American smooth in the telly extravaganza.

It was won by TV host Scarlett Moffatt and Vito Coppola, who got a perfect 40 score for their cha-cha-cha.

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Despite finishing second from bottom, Mel and Kai scored 36 out of 40 and she was hailed “fabulous” by judges Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke.

Mel had been tipped to take part in the full series this autumn but her comments suggest there is no way back.

Yet following her Christmas Day dance on the BBC One show, watched by 7.75million at home, Mel told host Tess Daly: “I really enjoyed it.

In a telling remark, she added: “It’s been amazing yet challenging, getting out of my comfort zone, having to wear a dress, having to look like custard . . . all of these things.”

A source insisted that Mel had taken her own dress which was “styled and adjusted” by the Strictly costume team to her specifications.

They added: “Strictly would never make anyone wear something they felt uncomfortable in.”

Mel, who had five No1 singles with All Saints, revealed last year that she was serving burgers at a North London boozer.

She is no longer in the pub but wants to start a new career in the food industry.

Mel, who performed in All Saints with Shaznay Lewis and sisters Nicole and Natalie Appleton said: “The main thing I want from life is peace and happiness.

“My dream is to do a cookery book or have my own cookery programme, something like ‘Cheeses of the World’. I will make it happen.”

• Mel’s full interview can be read now in April’s Good Housekeeping.