Married At First Sight reveals new expert Marryam Chehelnabi at Channel Nine upfronts following Mel Schilling's tragic death

Married At First Sight Australia has announced its new expert for the 2027 season, six months after the tragic death of Mel Schilling.

Couples Therapy Australia star Marryam Chehelnabi is set to join the 14th season of the popular TV series alongside John Aiken and Alessandra Rampolla.

Chehelnabi is certainly qualified to steer the show's unlucky-in-love influencers of the future in the right direction. 

She holds a Master of Science in Medicine from the University of Sydney, as well as a Master of Counselling and Applied Psychotherapy.

The 2027 season is promising plenty of drama, with Nine teasing sharp twists and emotional confrontations at the network's Upfronts on Thursday. 

Viewers can also expect the usual MAFS staples, including awkward first meetings, fiery dinner parties and high-stakes commitment ceremonies. 

The franchise will also continue its partnership with Stan, with MAFS: After The Dinner Party returning immediately after each televised Dinner Party.

Hosts Jules Lund, Brittany Hockley and Laura Byrne are all set to return, offering viewers participant debriefs, unseen footage and expert commentary following the drama that unfolds on-screen.

The announcement comes after Aiken opened up about filming the new season without his longtime co-star, describing the occasion as 'bittersweet'.

'It's a little bittersweet because, you know, with Mel not being here now, it's sort of difficult at times,' he said.

'But, you know, we are flying the Married At First Sight flag.'

Fellow expert Rampolla agreed that the atmosphere behind the scenes had changed significantly.

'Yes, it's very different this year, but we are really enjoying the process of creating something new also,' she said. 

Schilling tragically died in March aged 54, just days after revealing her cancer had spread to her brain.

The Australian psychologist and relationship expert was first diagnosed with colon cancer in 2023 after doctors discovered a tumour she famously described as being 'the size of a lemon'.

Following surgery, Schilling announced she had been given the all-clear and remained determined to continue filming Married At First Sight while undergoing treatment.

However, in a heartbreaking Instagram update earlier this year, she revealed the disease had metastasised to her lungs in February 2024 before spreading to her brain over Christmas 2025.

Following her death, her husband Gareth confirmed the devastating news in a deeply moving statement, revealing Mel's final thoughts were entirely focused on him and their daughter Madison.

'Melanie Jane Brisbane-Schilling passed away peacefully today, surrounded by love,' he wrote.

'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.

'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.

'On behalf of our family and her incredible friendship group, thank you for the support from around the world.'