Married At First Sight Australia ‘casts new expert’ following Mel Schilling’s death

Married at First Sight Australia has reportedly cast a new relationship expert for the programme, following the death of Mel Schilling earlier this year.

The beloved dating coach died in March at the age of 54, after doctors had informed her that the cancer she had been diagnosed with had spread to her brain.

The Australian native was first diagnosed with colon cancer in December 2023 and had undergone 16 rounds of chemotherapy while filming MAFS.

The psychologist-turned-TV host helmed the expert panel of the Aussie franchise for 12 seasons and also appeared in five series of the UK version on Channel 4.

Schilling had announced she would be stepping back from filming earlier this year, in order to prioritise her family and health. MAFS Australia expert John Aiken stepped in to replace her for the remainder of the latest UK series, as filming was underway.

The show has now reportedly found a new love coach, who goes by Dr Lurve and has billed herself as Australia’s number one relationship expert on her Instagram.

Dr Lurve, whose real name is Brigitte Zonta, is understood to have signed on for the show’s 2027 season, according to the Daily Mail. 

She will reportedly 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, but the relationship expert’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. 

The source said: ‘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’.

They concluded: ‘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.’

Metro contacted Brigitte Zonta and Nine for comment on this story.