Who are the Married At First Sight UK experts?

17 October 2025, 16:08

MAFS UK 2025 has begun and this year relationship experts Paul C Brunson, Mel Schilling and Charlene Douglas have their work cut out with the cast.

Married At First Sight UK is back for 2025 with a whole new cast of brides and grooms on the look out for their forever person.

Matched by the experts Paul C Brunson, Mel Schilling and Charlene Douglas, the couples are busy finding their way in their new relationships including living together, going on holidays and just generally exploring their connections.

Of course, it's not as easy as saying 'I do' and living happily ever after when you marry a stranger which is where the MAFS experts really come in as they help the new pairings find their way together.

• Read more: MAFS UK's Julia-Ruth and Steven spark affair rumours
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So who are the Married At First Sight experts Paul, Mel and Charlene? Here's all the details you need to know.

Who is MAFS expert Charlene Douglas?

Charlene is a 44-year-old registered couples counsellor and intimacy coach who is one of the experts on MAFS UK.

While studying Charlene developed an interest in teaching and began teaching sexual health to students in 2010. The expert is also an author and her book Come Closer: Everything You Ever Wanted to Ask a Sex and Relationship Therapist came out just three months before Married at First Sight UK 2024 aired.

She first joined the show in 2021 and has also appeared as a sex therapist on E4's The Sex Clinic. Outside of her TV career she leads group workshops in London and supports couples and individuals in her private practice.

Is MAFS' Charlene Douglas married and does she have children?

Despite expertly advising the couples on the show, Charlene is not currently married. She also once said she was put off having children "for life".

Speaking to The Express she said: "I think sex education has definitely got much better at school. In my day, I remember the girls and boys were separated. 

“I found out about childbirth, which put me off for life. And it's the secret that you weren't really supposed to tell the boys about."

Who is MAFS expert Paul Brunson?

50-year-old Paul Brunson is a professional matchmaker and certified life coach who is an expert on MAFS UK 2025.

Paul joined the show back in 2020 and has been a go to host ever since. He also works on another fan-favourite relationship show Celebs Go Dating and is a relationship consultant on Lorraine.

Born in the US, Paul began his working career in investment banking and business before making the transition to matchmaking.

His book Find Love launched in 2024 which even includes the Long-Term Relationship Satisfaction Scale (LRSS) which he developed with a top psychologist.

Is MAFS' Paul Brunson married and does he have children?

Yes, Paul has been happily married to his wife Jill Brunson since 2000 and they have two sons, Kingston and Liam.

Who is MAFS expert Mel Schilling?

53-year-old Mel a relationship coach from Australia and is an expert on MAFS UK.

Mel has been on the show since 2015 and, unsurprisingly, features as an expert on Married at First Sight Australia as well. She has over twenty years of experience as a qualified specialist in human behavioural performance, so she can smell a toxic partner a mile off.

When it comes to her educational background she has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology as well as a Graduate Diploma in Psychology.

Is MAFS' Mel Schilling married and does she have children?

Yes, In 2020 she got married to her Northern Irish husband Gareth Brisbane - no, it wasn't marriage at first sight - and they share daughter Maddie.

Mel has opened up about her battle with colon cancer and recently finished undergoing chemotherapy following surgery to remove a tumour.

Recently she gave her fans an update saying her energy was back and she was "determined" to get better as she returned to Australia to film a new season of MAFS AUS.

READ MORE:

• MAFS UK's Abi's dramatic body transformation revealed in resurfaced competition photos
• MAFS UK's Sarah pens Dean a heartfelt message after leaving the show
• Where are the MAFS UK apartments?
• MAFS UK fans 'worried' by Steven's outbursts as he apologises to Nelly

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