Latest news with #MelSchilling
Daily Mail
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
MAFS star Mel Schilling shares sweet throwback photos with husband for seven-year anniversary... as filming for the 2026 season gets underway
Mel Schilling has shared a sweet tribute to her husband Gareth Brisbane, as the couple celebrated their seven-year wedding anniversary. The Married At First Sight relationship expert, 53, took to Instagram on Saturday to share a trio of photos highlighting hallmark moments in their relationship. The first throwback photo showed the couple, 14 years ago, looking loved-up as they enjoyed a drink at a bar. Mel explained in the caption that the photo was taken just prior to her introducing Gareth to her family for the first time. The second, and equally romantic, throwback was taken on a pre-wedding date night just prior to the couple's 2018 nuptials in Bali. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. The post was rounded out with a more recent photo of the couple, taken this year, celebrating the launch of Mel's podcast How To Date. 'Happy anniversary to this guy. No 7 Year Itch here,' she said, referencing the classic Marilyn Monroe film. '7 years married, 14 years as soul mates. I don't believe in luck, but we finally found the partners we both deserve.' Mel continued: 'So grateful for you, my mate, my opposite, my rock, my motivator, my soft place to land, and my comedy partner. Love you, my one x.' The romantic post was met with a flurry of congratulations from friends and followers. 'Happy Wedding Anniversary. Can't believe how fast 7 years has gone. Sending you guys so much love!!!' one offered. Another chimed in with a similar: 'Happy 7th (Non-Itch) Anniversary to you both,' while a third echoed the sentiment with a sweet: 'Congratulations. A beautiful couple.' Mel was single for 10 years throughout her thirties before meeting Gareth through dating website eHarmony. The second, and equally romantic, throwback was taken on a pre-wedding date night just prior to the couple's 2018 nuptials in Bali The post was rounded out with a more recent photo of the couple, taken this year, celebrating the launch of Mel's podcast How To Date The couple went on to welcome their daughter Maddie, 10, and tied the knot in Bali in 2018 in a romantic commitment ceremony. They said 'I do' again in an intimate ceremony in Melbourne, back in 2021. Mel told Who magazine she was overcome with emotion on the day, and shed tears of happiness. '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 Madison when I was nearly 42, so to be finally saying our "I dos" was an emotional time. 'It was very special,' she said. The wedding was capped at six people in total, with the family of three joined by two witnesses and a celebrant. Filming for the 2026 season of Married At First Sight has officially commenced – but production insiders say the show is already in crisis behind the scenes. Despite cameras now rolling, sources have revealed that several key roles in the cast are still not locked in, with last-minute dropouts and a strict new vetting process creating major headaches for producers. 'There's been some great talent who were deep in the process, but they suddenly got cold feet,' one insider told Daily Mail Australia. 'Others made it right to the final stages, only to be cut after background checks flagged issues. There's a mad scramble happening in real time to find replacements.' Earlier this month, EndemolShine Australia put out a fresh casting call encouraging singles to apply – a clear indication that not every match is finalised, despite production being underway. 'Looking for love or know someone who is? DMs are OPEN,' read the casting post shared to the official MAFS Instagram last week. 'They're still scrambling for both brides and grooms,' a well-placed source said. 'There's definitely panic behind the scenes. The pressure is on to get it right after last season's controversies.' The insider added that while Nine is determined to deliver explosive television, they're taking no chances when it comes to who gets cast. 'Network execs have enforced tough new vetting rules. No criminal records. No previous court appearances. If there's even a whiff of controversy in someone's past, they're out.'
Wales Online
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Married At First Sight Australia producers 'struggling to find contestants' for new series
Married At First Sight Australia producers 'struggling to find contestants' for new series Married At First Sight Australia is reportedly struggling to find suitable singles to appear on the show, despite a new series due to begin filming soon Casting for the upcoming series of Married at First Sight Australia began months ago, yet producers appear to be encountering difficulties securing appropriate participants for the programme. Television industry sources have revealed that numerous positions remain unfilled on MAFS Australia, with some potential contestants withdrawing at the eleventh hour. "They're still scrambling for both brides and grooms," an insider revealed to Daily Mail Australia. "Honestly, they're desperate. There's a real sense of panic among the producers who know they have to deliver a standout cast to keep viewers hooked after this year's season was so controversial." Channel Nine's enhanced screening procedures have reportedly compounded the casting challenges. The network is said to be taking an uncompromising approach to comprehensive background investigations this series, reports the Mirror. Married at First Sight Australia experts John Aiken, Mel Schilling, and Alessandra Rampolla (Image: Channel 9 ) Article continues below Wales Online has contacted representatives for comment. An insider explained: "Channel Nine isn't messing around when it comes to background checks this year. They don't want anyone with a criminal record - not even someone who's faced court and been found not guilty. "It's about protecting the brand at all costs. But they're not playing it safe. They still want drama, chaos, headlines - they just don't want to give critics any more ammunition." These allegations emerge as production house EndemolShine Australia issued a casting appeal via Instagram recently. A message posted to the MAFS Instagram page stated: "Looking for love or know someone who is? DMs are OPEN." The twelfth series of Married at First Sight Australia first aired in January, before making its way to E4 in the UK. The programme features couples who tie the knot without having previously met each other. MAFS sees couples marry despite having never met one another (Image: Nine ) Before the show commences, experts pair up the single participants. Due to Australian legal stipulations, the couples do not legally marry on the show but instead participate in an informal commitment ceremony. On MAFS Australia, relationship advisors John Aiken and Mel Schilling, along with sexologist Alessandra Rampolla, serve as the experts. The couples meet for the first time at the altar, spend their wedding night in a hotel, and then embark on a honeymoon together. Upon their return, they cohabit and each week participate in a commitment ceremony where they can decide whether to continue or end their marriage. The series culminates in a final commitment ceremony, during which the couples must make a definitive decision about their marital future. Article continues below Married at First Sight is available to watch on Channel 4.
Daily Mirror
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
MAFS thrown into chaos as producers 'struggle to cast new contestants'
The thirteenth series of Married at First Sight Australia is soon to begin filming Casting for the new series of Married at First Sight Australia opened months ago, but it seems producers are struggling to find suitable singles to appear in the show. TV insiders have claimed that several spots remain empty on MAFS Australia, with some candidates even pulling out at the last minute. "They're still scrambling for both brides and grooms," a source told Daily Mail Australia. "Honestly, they're desperate. There's a real sense of panic among the producers who know they have to deliver a standout cast to keep viewers hooked after this year's season was so controversial." The Daily Mirror has reached out for comment. Channel Nine's new vetting process has also added to producers' casting problems. It is claimed that the network is "not messing around" when it comes to thorough background checks this time around. A source said, "Channel Nine isn't messing around when it comes to background checks this year. They don't want anyone with a criminal record - not even someone who's faced court and been found not guilty. "It's about protecting the brand at all costs. But they're not playing it safe. They still want drama, chaos, headlines - they just don't want to give critics any more ammunition." The claims come as production company EndemolShine Australia put out a casting call on Instagram in recent weeks. A post shared to the MAFS Instagram account read: "Looking for love or know someone who is? DMs are OPEN." Series 12 of Married at First Sight Australia began airing back in January, before later landing on E4 in the UK. The show features couples who marry despite having met one another before walking down the aisle. Experts match the singletons before the show begins. Due to legal requirements in Australia, participants are not legally married on the show but take part in an unofficial commitment ceremony. On MAFS Australia, the experts are relationship advisors John Aiken and Mel Schilling, along with sexologist Alessandra Rampolla. The couples meet at the altar, spends their wedding night in a hotel, and then heads on a honeymoon together. After returning, they live together and each week take part in a commitment ceremony, during which they can choose to stay or leave their marriage. The series then concludes with one final commitment ceremony, during which the couples must make a lasting decision about the future of their marriage. Married at First Sight is available to watch on Channel 4.
Wales Online
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Married At First Sight icon pays a visit to ‘big, bold and beautiful' Cardiff
Married At First Sight icon pays a visit to 'big, bold and beautiful' Cardiff The reality TV star arrived in the Welsh capital just in time for a vibrant weekend of Pride celebrations Mel Schilling appears on both UK and Australian versions of the popular dating show (Image: 2025 Getty Images ) Married At First Sight UK favourite Mel Schilling made a surprise stop in Cardiff this weekend, and shared her appreciation for Cardiff's Pride Cymru celebrations over the weekend. The relationship expert shared a snap of Queen Street filled with rainbow flags and crowds on her Instagram story, captioning it: 'When you arrive in Cardiff in the middle of a big, bold, beautiful Pride celebration.' This was also followed by a shot of Cardiff Castle with a gif attached saying 'Show your pride', and paired with the song I Am What I Am by Gloria Gaynor. It's not clear why Mel was in the capital, but her timing lined up perfectly with Pride Cymru, which returned to the city on Saturday for its 40th anniversary. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter Mel Schilling shared a snap of Queen Street filled with rainbow flags and crowds on her Instagram story (Image: Instagram: @mel_schilling1 ) The 53-year-old relationship expert appears on both UK and Australian versions of the popular dating show which sees strangers marrying each other after meeting for the first time at the alter. She's appeared in 16 seasons of the programme in total, 11 Down Under and five in the UK, and she's hinted that she's got exciting news coming very soon. Article continues below Mel told the Mirror earlier this month "I have some exciting stuff coming down the line. Nothing I can talk about yet but some of it is TV but also moving into other mediums as well so I have a lot really exciting stuff coming up and I cannot wait to start sharing it so watch this space." As well as working on secret projects, Mel has teamed up with Tesco to launch the UK's first supermarket wedding gift registry offering couples a range of gift packages covering off the everyday essentials. The first Pride in Wales took place back in 1985 with fewer than 100 people, but fast forward to this weekend, and thousands turned up, with more people signing up in advance than ever before. The atmosphere throughout the day was full of plenty of colour, energy and celebration, with families, performers and community groups all taking part in the lively event. Lots of people spoke about the importance of visibility, especially this year with the LGBTQ+, telling WalesOnline that the community is still facing a number of barriers in society. The protest group Cymru Queers for Palestine blocked the original parade route near Cardiff Castle after saying they had tried to engage with Pride Cymru before the event but felt they were ignored. Hannah, from Cymru Queers for Palestine said: "We contacted Pride, met with them and they ignored us. So we will not stop and we will not rest until we say that Pride Cymru has no ties to the Israeli war machine.' The parade was rerouted, and Pride Cymru later released a statement saying: 'Despite our best efforts to engage with the group ahead of and during the event, the situation on the ground made it impossible to proceed with the original parade route as planned. 'Pride is a space for protest, celebration, and solidarity. We remain committed to creating a Pride that reflects the diversity and voices of our entire community.' Article continues below The celebrations carried on in Coopers Field, with performances from Ella Henderson, Shola Ama, Kimberly Wyatt, Booty Luv and local drag star Carrie Sauce. Whether Mel Schilling was here for work or just passing through, it's safe to say she definitely got a warm, and very colourful Cardiff welcome.
Daily Mirror
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Married at First Sight's Mel Schilling breaks silence on 'exciting' new projects
EXCLUSIVE: MAFS UK and Australia relationship expert Mel Schilling has teamed up with a new campaign which helps newlyweds through all of life's moments not matter how big or small Mel Schilling has confirmed she's working on exciting projects away from Married at First Sight. The 53-year-old relationship expert appears on both UK and Australian versions of the popular dating show which sees strangers marrying each other after meeting for the first time at the alter. She's appeared in 16 seasons of the programme in total, 11 Down Under and five in the UK, and she's hinted that she's got exciting news coming very soon. Mel told the Mirror: "I have some exciting stuff coming down the line. Nothing I can talk about yet but some of it is TV but also moving into other mediums as well so I have a lot really exciting stuff coming up and I cannot wait to start sharing it so watch this space." Married at First Sight first aired back in 2015 and Mel has shared what she believes is the secret behind the show's success after a decade. Mel explained: 'I think our audience are really heavily invest in our couples because they get to see them over such a long period of time and they get that opportunity to have that voyeuristic peek behind the curtain at how another couple actually work through everyday normal life and that is so appealing. "I think many of many of our audiences look at the screen and see themselves and a lot of their own have this personal relationship with the couples and with us in terms of the advice we give so I feel they are very much on the journey with us." As well as working on secret projects, Mel has teamed up with Tesco to launch the UK's first supermarket wedding gift registry offering couples a range of gift packages covering off the everyday essentials. Launched in partnership with Prezola, the gift registry underlines Tesco's commitment to helping people through all of life's moments, big and small, and includes bundles recommended by Mel designed to set newlyweds up for a lifetime of happiness. According to research, couples spurning more traditional presents like fine china , crockery and towels, with 25 per cent saying they would prefer dinner dates with their other half and 18 per cent dream of having their weekly shop taken care of for a year. Mel said: "The key to setting up newlyweds for success is creating a foundation for everyday wellbeing and resilience so the romance can flourish. When the basics are taken care of, couples can prioritise their relationship and focus on creating moments that bring them closer. "That's why the Tesco wedding gift registry is genius. Setting aside expectations around 'traditional' wedding gifts, Tesco has listened to what couples today actually want and created something that will help build the foundations of a strong marriage. 'Whether that's a champagne toast to celebrate a win, a cup of tea together in the morning or a home-cooked meal to share - it's the little things that make a big difference." Tesco has launched six bespoke bundles on Prezola, developed in response to the real needs of modern couples across the UK to make life easier for newlywed couples navigating their first year of marriage.
