Matt Willis and Emma made 'transformative decision' after fears marriage 'wouldn't last'

Matt Willis and wife Emma made a "transformative decision" after revealing friends feared their marriage would only "last six months".

Discussing his battles with addiction, Busted's bassist Matt, now aged 41, has admitted to indulging in cannabis during his teens. His struggles with substance abuse led him to seek help at the Priory in London for alcohol dependency during his rise to fame.

Prior to marrying ex-Big Brother host Emma Willis in 2008, Matt managed to achieve sobriety. But faced a setback when their youngest child Trixie was just 10 months old, leading to relapse in 2017.

Recently speaking on Gabby Logan's Mid Point podcast, Matt shared insights into their marriage, revealing how counselling played a crucial role ahead of his documentary Fighting Addiction. He conceded their marriage was "okay" but there were unsaid tensions which they couldn't resolve alone, reports the Mirror.

He explained: "One of the best things we ever did was go to couple's counselling, it was transformative for us."

"Things were okay but there were certain things that were not said or talked about, and whenever we did, we went round circles with it, it was the same thing over and over again. So having a third party to mediate those sorts of conversations was incredible."

Reflecting on the rocky period before tying the knot, Matt confessed that it was "touch-and-go" and there were moments he thought Emma might not forgive him. Adding to this sentiment, Gabby remarked: "You did say that most people at the wedding probably thought you had about six months."

Matt responded: "Absolutely. They probably did but that's the thing, I'm crazy about her and I'd do anything for her."

He attributes open communication with his wife as a significant factor in their recovery process that has kept them together since then. The pair recently toasted to their 16th wedding anniversary.

Emma, 48, commemorated the event with a heartfelt post on social media. She penned: "Happy anniversary @mattjwillis 16 years since we said I do. Love you forever bab."

In 2024, the couple celebrated another milestone as they collaborated for the first time on Love Is Blind UK. The Netflix sensation involves singles dating in pods, divided by frosted glass, falling in love without seeing each other before ultimately walking down the aisle and saying "I do" - or "I do not".