{"id":640574,"date":"2026-08-16T19:07:23","date_gmt":"2026-08-16T19:07:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/640574\/"},"modified":"2026-08-16T19:07:23","modified_gmt":"2026-08-16T19:07:23","slug":"mafs-star-john-aiken-addresses-difficult-new-season-after-mel-schillings-death","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/640574\/","title":{"rendered":"MAFS star John Aiken addresses \u2018difficult\u2019 new season after Mel Schilling\u2019s death"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\"MAFS
\n\t\tMel was first diagnosed with colon cancer in December 2023 and died earlier this year (Picture: Channel Nine\/Katelyn Mensah)<\/p>\n

Married at First Sight\u2019s<\/a> John Aiken<\/a> has spoken about filming the new season of the reality dating show without his longtime co-star Mel Schilling<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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

Schilling was first diagnosed with colon cancer in December 2023 and had undergone 16 rounds of chemotherapy while filming MAFS.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>.<\/p>\n

While attending the Logies in Australia \u2013 which is Australian TV<\/a>\u2019s big awards night \u2013 Aiken described it as a \u2018bittersweet\u2019 return to the Channel Nine set to film the latest series.<\/p>\n

Speaking to Nine.com.au<\/a> on the red carpet on Sunday, he said: \u2018It\u2019s a little bittersweet with Mel not being here now, it\u2019s sort of difficult at times. But, we are flying the Married At First Sight flag.\u2019<\/p>\n

\t\t\"SYDNEY,
\n\t\tJohn Aiken described it as a \u2018bittersweet\u2019 return to the Channel Nine set (Picture: James Gourley\/Getty Images for TV WEEK)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"SYDNEY,
\n\t\tAlessandra Rampolla was also at Australia\u2019s big TV night (Picture: James Gourley\/Getty Images for TV WEEK)<\/p>\n

Fellow show veteran and sexologist Alessandra Rampolla agreed that the atmosphere behind the scenes had significantly altered, saying: \u2018Yes, it\u2019s very different this year, but we are really enjoying the process of creating something new also.\u2019<\/p>\n

The duo are currently filming the 2027 season of the show, after it was reported that MAFS Australia has cast a new relationship expert for the programme<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The new love coach goes by Dr Lurve and has billed herself as Australia\u2019s number one relationship expert on her Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"\"
\n\t\tIt comes after reports that the show has found a new dating coach (Picture: Nine)<\/p>\n

Dr Lurve, whose real name is Brigitte Zonta, is understood to have signed on for the show\u2019s 2027 season, according to the Daily Mail.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Aiken also spoke at the Logies about the progress of the upcoming 14th series, revealing that the contestants are already being forced to confront their bad dating habits \u2013 but he didn\u2019t say anything about the reports of the new dating coach.<\/p>\n

\u2018It\u2019s early on in the experiment, so with that being the case, they\u2019re really being tested in terms of whether they\u2019re able to open up and let someone in, or whether they\u2019re just going to keep to their old patterns and basically rule people out,\u2019 he explained. \u2018That\u2019s always fascinating, to see who dives in.\u2019<\/p>\n

Arrow
\nMORE: The Challenge winner Tyler Duckworth found dead in his bathroom aged 44<\/a><\/p>\n

Arrow
\nMORE: Nickelodeon star Christy Knowings dies aged 46 after asthma attack causes brain damage<\/a><\/p>\n

Arrow
\nMORE: Sinister new detail in murder case of director Rob Reiner after son pleads not guilty<\/a><\/p>\n


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