Matt Willis, bassist for Busted and host of I’m A Celebrity… South Africa, has opened up about the struggles he faced early in his relationship with wife Emma Willis, admitting he felt he wasn’t living up to her high standards.
In a heartfelt conversation on his podcast On the Mend, Matt, 42, revealed that he had to come to terms with his feelings of inadequacy when he first started dating Emma, 46, whom he married in 2008. The couple, who have three children together—Isabelle, Ace, and Trixie—have since weathered many challenges, including Matt’s ongoing battle with addiction.
“I became very aware that I wasn’t living up to her standard,” Matt shared with guest Spencer Matthews. He explained that while he understood the importance of a partnership in a marriage, he struggled with feelings of competition, particularly when it came to their respective achievements. “I wasn’t achieving anywhere near what she was achieving, and it hurt me. It really affected me.”
The revelation comes at a time when Matt has been more candid about his personal life. He has previously spoken about his battle with substance abuse, admitting that he began using cannabis at just 13 years old. Matt’s struggles culminated in a decision to seek help in June 2008, when Emma gave him an ultimatum to go to rehab.
Reflecting on that moment in his life, Matt recalled the heart-wrenching realization that he needed to change his ways not just for himself, but for his family. “It made me go, ‘Do you know what, I need to step the f**k up because she is winning,’” Matt said. “It’s not winning against us two, it’s winning at life, and I’m not winning at life. I was like, ‘I need to start winning at life and step my game up.’”
Matt’s candidness about the early struggles in his marriage is a powerful testament to the pressures of living in the public eye while trying to maintain a personal life. His comments echo a universal truth: the self-doubt and insecurities many people face when trying to meet the expectations of others, particularly in romantic relationships.
In the interview, Matt admitted that despite his commitment to sobriety, he still faced temptations, particularly around his ongoing battle with nicotine addiction. Matt has been open about his history with smoking, which began during his teenage years. In an earlier podcast episode, he disclosed his struggles with quitting vaping, describing the addiction as “massively” difficult.
Despite his efforts to quit, Matt revealed that his resolve crumbled when a frustrating encounter on the way to a Busted gig led him to relapse. He described an incident where another motorist “cut me up in traffic,” causing him to “lose it.” The moment led him back to the backstage area, where he found vapes available to him, and he slipped back into his old habits. This, Matt admitted, led him to a pivotal realization: his vaping habits were not only damaging to his health but were also threatening his career.
“I don’t plan on vaping again. I don’t want to do it anymore,” Matt shared, expressing regret for the impact it had on his life. “I don’t want to have that in my life. It’s embarrassing. It’s terrible for you.”
Despite these challenges, Matt remains committed to improving himself and his relationships. He shared that his journey towards self-improvement is a continual process, but one he’s determined to complete for the sake of his family and his own well-being.
As he continues to work on his sobriety and confront his addictions, Matt has expressed deep gratitude for Emma’s support throughout their marriage. Their bond, built on love and mutual respect, has undoubtedly been tested by external pressures, but Matt’s recent revelations show just how important it is to acknowledge and address personal struggles.
While Matt and Emma have faced their fair share of obstacles, their relationship appears stronger than ever. Their shared experiences, including raising three children, navigating fame, and overcoming personal demons, have brought them closer together. Matt’s openness about his past struggles only serves to deepen the respect and admiration fans have for the couple.
As the couple looks toward the future, Matt’s continued transparency about his journey to sobriety and personal growth is inspiring. His story reminds us all that it’s okay to struggle, but it’s even more important to seek help, take responsibility for our actions, and continue to work on ourselves for the people we love.
This honesty about the challenges in their marriage only serves to strengthen their connection with fans, who admire their authenticity and dedication to overcoming personal difficulties. Matt’s message is clear: progress takes time, but with the right support and commitment, it’s possible to live a better, more fulfilling life.
Source: https://www.mirror.co.uk/
