Matt Willis has criticised modern dating 'tick-lists', arguing that they cause people to miss out on potentially amazing relationships. The Busted bassist and his wife, TV presenter Emma Willis, spoke about their own 18-year marriage while promoting the new series of Netflix's Love Is Blind: UK, which launched on August 19.
Matt Willis on the Problem with Dating Tick-Lists
Speaking on the Tea At Four podcast, Matt said individuals who rely on strict criteria when dating are missing out. He said: "That's what's so funny about this show as well, is that you see people go, 'Aw, I wouldn't do this, I couldn't do this, I couldn't deal with anyone who doesn't spend this on a date', all this kind of, like, tick-list of what's okay."
"And you're missing out on some of the amazing things that don't meet one criteria, you know, when you don't know what the person is."
The Key to a Strong Marriage
The conversation then turned to the idea that couples are often strongest when they accept there will always be a few things that grate. Emma explained how she sees her relationship with Matt, saying: "And not trying to change someone. There have been times when we've tried to change each other, and actually, you kinda go, 'Yeah, but I love all of him so... or all of her. So why am I trying to change?'"
"'Let's communicate and go, this has p*****d me off or this is not working for me', rather than going, 'Well, it's not working'. How do we make it work for both of us? Or how do we work around it?" She added: "Swings and roundabouts. But at the same time, I haven't got a f*******g clue."
Emma and Matt on Their Bond
Emma has also hinted at what keeps their marriage strong. The TV presenter—set to host Strictly Come Dancing this autumn with Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe—said she and Matt simply "love being with each other." She told Closer: "You'd think if you lived and worked together, you'd be like, 'Christ, I need a break!' But we don't. We just absolutely love being with each other all the time."
Matt added: "Of all the things I do, Love Is Blind is my favourite and it's mainly because I'm working with Emma. We get to do this really cool job together, we get flown around the world with this amazing show which is all about love, and I'm with my best mate every day."
