By ALI DAHER, SENIOR SHOWBUSINESS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA<\/p>\n
Published: 12:11 BST, 16 August 2026 | Updated: 15:14 BST, 16 August 2026<\/p>\n
Married At First Sight expert John Aiken has opened up about filming the new season without his longtime co-star Mel Schilling.<\/p>\n
The relationship counsellor admitted returning to the set of the Channel Nine dating experiment had been an emotional experience following Schilling's death.<\/p>\n
Speaking to Nine.com.au on the Logies red carpet on Sunday, Aiken described the occasion as 'bittersweet'.<\/p>\n
'It's a little bittersweet because, you know, with Mel not being here now, it's sort of difficult at times,' he said.<\/p>\n
'But, you know, we are flying the Married At First Sight flag.'<\/p>\n
Fellow expert Alessandra Rampolla agreed that the atmosphere behind the scenes had changed significantly.<\/p>\n
Married At First Sight expert John Aiken has opened up about filming the new season without his longtime co-star Mel Schilling. (John pictured with experts Mel Schilling and Alessandra Rampolla)<\/p>\n
Speaking to Nine.com.au on Sunday, Aiken described the occasion as 'bittersweet'. 'It's a little bittersweet because Mel not being here now, it's sort of difficult at times,' he said<\/p>\n
'Yes, it's very different this year, but we are really enjoying the process of creating something new also,' she said.<\/p>\n
Aiken and Rampolla are currently filming the 2027 season of the ratings juggernaut, which will introduce a fresh group of hopeful brides and grooms to the controversial social experiment.<\/p>\n
While production is still in its early stages, Aiken revealed the participants were already being forced to confront the habits that had previously held them back from finding lasting love.<\/p>\n
'It's early on in the experiment, so with that being the case, they're really being tested in terms of whether they're able to open up and let someone in, or whether they're just going to keep to their old patterns and basically rule people out,' he explained.<\/p>\n
Rampolla said the experts were still waiting to discover the contestants' true personalities, which traditionally begin to emerge as the pressure of the experiment intensifies.<\/p>\n