Matt Willis’ documentary about addiction left viewers in floods of tears on Wednesday night.
The BBC documentary, titled Fighting Addiction, saw the 40-year-old open up about his recovery from his drug and alcohol addiction.
Matt’s presenter wife Emma Willis also appeared in the programme, and tearfully revealed how his addiction has affected their lives over the years.
Emma Willis proving that not all superheroes wear cloaks ❤️#mattwillis #emmawillis #FightingAddiction #mattwillisfightingaddiction pic.twitter.com/2RLmRe0iKw
— Andrew Jazzie (@AndrewJazzie) May 17, 2023
Emma married the Busted star in 2008, and they’ve since welcomed three children together – Isabelle, 13, Ace, 11, and Trixie, 7.
In the documentary, Emma shared a diary she kept in 2008, which detailed Matt’s daily drug and alcohol use.
“The only thing I could think of to keep track, was to keep a diary,” she explained. “I don’t think I’ve ever read it since I wrote it.”
“It’s literally just notes of… what I knew he had consumed. A bottle of champagne, a couple of wines, a couple of wines… another bottle of champagne, and more.”
Emma also recalled going to all the local pubs in their area to try and find Matt, and confessed: “I was so scared he would die.”
The TV presenter described living with an addict as “anxiety inducing”, before later revealing she’s concerned Matt could relapse again on Busted’s upcoming reunion tour.
The musician relapsed during the band’s last reunion tour in 2016, and Emma is worried history will repeat itself.
Emma told the cameras: “Matt’s always had issues but they seem to really kick in when he’s on tour.”
“I know he doesn’t wanna be that person but is his brain going to trick him and go, ‘just one more time, no one will know. That’s the worry.”
The emotional documentary was widely praised on social media, as viewers branded it a “powerful” watch.
Viewers also credited Emma for standing by Matt during his addiction and subsequent recovery, calling her a “remarkable woman”.
Emma Willis is a remarkable woman 💛 not many women would have stayed in her situation. And that diary she kept was heartbreaking. #MattWillis #FightingAddiction
— Adele Barry (@AdeleBarry) May 17, 2023
One seriously powerful watch. #mattwillis. And what a truly remarkable lady Emma is. As for people commenting on how Emma could stay with him, it’s comments like this that stigmatise #Mentalhealth and #addiction.
#mattwillisfightingaddiction— kaye moors (@kayemoors) May 17, 2023
😢gosh Heartbreaking what a killer it is, Proud of you Matt, you’ve come such a long way. Lots of love to you, so looking forward to seeing you with the boys in September.❤️ #mattwillis #documantary pic.twitter.com/9EHoIZL7mB
— yasminA 💙 (@yasmin_ali10) May 17, 2023
😢gosh Heartbreaking what a killer it is, Proud of you Matt, you’ve come such a long way. Lots of love to you, so looking forward to seeing you with the boys in September.❤️ #mattwillis #documantary pic.twitter.com/9EHoIZL7mB
— yasminA 💙 (@yasmin_ali10) May 17, 2023
Good to see more about addiction & alcoholism on tv. The stigma is changing & the more people talk about it the more of those suffering will feel able to reach out & ask for help without feeling judged. Recovery is possible.
#fightingaddiction #emmawillis #mattwillis— Sober Lady (@ASoberLady) May 17, 2023
Just watched this and was incredible, fair play to his wife Emma for what is actually a really intimate portrait of living with a recovering addict and alcoholic https://t.co/232ONqsRhv
— Disgruntled Commuter #FBPE #GTTO (@Disgruntledcom2) May 17, 2023
I’ve always loved Emma, but Wow! she really must think a lot about Matt.
She stood by him every step of the way! What a remarkable women! #MattWillis
— Vicki ⭐️ (@xViCkIx_) May 17, 2023
Wow Matt Willis: Fighting Addiction is so heartbreaking & so powerful. I’ve interviewed both @EmmaWillis & @mattjwillis multiple times & they are individually so lovely. And clearly they’re an amazing couple together too – they’re going to help so many people
— Lily Smith (@itslilysmith) May 17, 2023
