Married At First Sight star John Aiken's agonising heartbreak as he loses two best friends and colleagues in the space of two years following the death of Mel Schilling

Married At First Sight expert John Aiken is facing unimaginable heartbreak after losing not one, but two of his closest friends and colleagues in just two years.

The relationship expert, 55, is mourning the devastating loss of his longtime colleague Mel Schilling, who died aged 54 following a courageous battle with cancer.

Mel's death marks the second profound loss John has endured in recent years, following the passing of another close friend and colleague, MAFS co-star Dr Trisha Stratford. 

Trisha passed away in September 2023 at age 72, three years after leaving the franchise. 

John had broken the news of her death on social media, posting: 'I'm heartbroken and devastated that my friend and dear colleague Trisha has passed away.'

'We shared an amazing seven seasons of MAFS together. She loved everything New Zealand, relationships, the All Blacks, the Black Caps, French wine and travelling the world. I'll miss you Tish.

'Thank you for all the memories.'

The clinical neuro-psychotherapist, who hailed from New Zealand, joined the Nine show in its first season in 2015, starring alongside relationship gurus John and Sabina Read. 

Sabina was later replaced by Mel Schilling. 

During her time on the show, Trisha was known for her 'pheromones test' and for asking participants whether they had been 'intimate' with each other.  

In March 2021, former participant Jessika Power, who starred in season six, told the Unpopular podcast that Trisha was often unwell while filming her final season in 2019.

'She was really sick when we were filming,' Jessika claimed.

'There would be times when we would have to stop filming and she just had to take a moment or have some, I don't know, Panadol or something. She was pretty sick, she didn't really say much.' 

Now, two years after the tragic passing of Trish, MAFS fans are once again heartbroken following Mel Schilling's death this week.  

Mel's husband Gareth announced on Tuesday that the dating expert had died just days after revealing her cancer had spread to her brain. 

In a lengthy statement, he spoke of her love for him and their daughter Madison, 10. 

Mel helmed the expert panel of the Australian franchise for 12 seasons and also appeared in five series of the UK version on Channel 4.

But she had announced she would be stepping back from filming earlier this year, in order to prioritise her family and health. 

John stepped in to replace her for the remainder of the latest UK series, as filming was underway.

On Wednesday, John held back tears as he spoke to the Today show about Mel's death, revealing the devastating toll of losing his long-time confidante. 

'She was my partner in crime through all of this,' he said, referring to their time navigating the show's meteoric rise.

'I couldn't have done it without her… it won't be the same now. It's very hard for me to get my head around her not being there.'

John's heartbreaking appearance on Today came hours after he penned a lengthy tribute to Mel on social media.

Alongside photos of one of their first TV appearances together alongside one of their last, John wrote: 'Where it began and where it ended.'

'It's with great sadness and heavy heart that today I lost my dear friend and fellow MAFS expert Mel Schilling. I am heartbroken, devastated and finding it hard to breathe.'

'She came into my life 10 years ago and together we rode this juggernaut, being there for one another through it all. Nothing could prepare us for what lay ahead, but she was always in the fox hole with me.'

He said it had been 'a privilege and an honour' to sit beside Mel on the MAFS couch, praising her warmth, honesty and unwavering commitment to the participants, adding that 'at her core she loved love'.

John also offered a rare glimpse into their off-screen bond, recalling how they would 'sing, dance, face time her daughter and eat lollies' before filming - and how Mel would 'squeal' and run to hug him each time he arrived on set.

He went on to describe her as a devoted mother and wife, calling her 'loving, committed, loyal, fun and so very very kind,' and a role model whose family was always her driving force.

Touching on her cancer battle, John said she never complained, instead continuing to show up with strength and professionalism, calling her 'an inspiration, a fighter, a leader.'

But it was the reality of her loss that hit hardest.

'It's not fair that my partner in crime is gone,' he said. 

'I am unravelling just thinking about it.'

In a final message, John thanked Mel for everything she had given him over the past decade, admitting he is 'distraught' as he comes to terms with her passing.

Mel first revealed that she had been diagnosed with colon cancer in December 2023, and she had to have surgery to remove a 5cm tumour.