Married At First Sight’s Mel Schilling has revealed she wouldn’t have an issue with dating someone half her age as she discussed age gap romances.
The dating expert, 52, who is married to her longtime partner Gareth Brisbane, revealed that she doesn’t have a problem with age gap relationships.
Mel gave her candid thoughts on the topic as she insisted age gaps are not an issue as long as both people are at the same stages in life.
‘I don’t have a problem with age gaps, I have a problem with stage gaps,’ she explained on The Self Love Revolution podcast.
‘I don’t care if you’re 50 and he’s 20, if you’re both at the same stage in life, let’s say you’re both in the stage where you’re ready to have a family and settle down, then that’s great.
‘Or you might be both 40, he might be ready to go out and party and travel and not settle down, and you might be ready to get a mortgage.
‘Those things are more important because that’s what creates that massive lifestyle gap, and it’s really hard to come back from that.’
Mel was single for 10 years throughout her thirties before meeting her now-husband Gareth through dating website eHarmony.
The pair had a successful first date after six weeks of messaging and things quickly got serious between the pair.
The couple went on to welcome their daughter Maddie, nine, and tied the knot in Bali in 2018 in a romantic ceremony.
The family have been going through a difficult time after Mel was diagnosed with colon cancer last year.
Earlier this month, Mel shared the poignant moment she told her daughter Maddie about the diagnosis.
In an interview with OK! magazine, Mel explained that Maddie has a ‘nine-year-old’s version’ of understanding what cancer means and its implications.
‘She knows I’m having chemo and she knows that when I have an infusion, I’ll be tired and need extra cuddles, which she is there for,’ Mel said, highlighting her daughter’s supportive and nurturing nature.
‘She understands it in her own way.’
She also described her husband Gareth as her ‘rock’ during the very challenging period.
‘He’s gone through his own tough year as he’s had grief in his life, but has still been there for me,’ she revealed, expressing gratitude for his unwavering support.
Mel revealed late last year that she had been diagnosed with colon cancer and subsequently underwent surgery to remove a tumour she nicknamed ‘Terry’.
However, as the cancer spread through her colon into the muscle, Mel discovered she needed chemotherapy and began treatment at the end of February.