Matt Willis has revealed that his compulsive honesty often frustrates his wife Emma, who tells him there are some things he does not need to admit to. The Busted star spoke about the habit during an appearance on Tom Grennan's On The Menu podcast, where the pair discussed addiction, sobriety and how their experiences have shaped their lives.
Honesty causes friction at home
Matt, 43, said his inability to keep things to himself can create tension at home, and shared the guidance Emma offers him when he feels the urge to confess. "That's one of the biggest things for me, mate, is that it drives my wife nuts at times because I admit to some s***," he said. "She's like, 'You don't need to f****** admit to that, you know?' But, I can't keep anything in. If I do, it will eventually eat away at me."
During the conversation, Tom Grennan told Matt that he had become more honest with his family and friends since getting sober. "I just feel like when I was at it, I was lying a lot, and I was just pretending a lot," he explained.
Living with the consequences
Matt said he could identify with Tom's experience and agreed with the idea that "no one really gets away with anything". He explained that even when people think they have avoided being caught, they still have to live with their own knowledge of what happened.
Tom likened guilt to something that steadily accumulates over time, comparing it to barnacles growing on the bottom of a boat. "If you leave it over time, they will just keep growing and growing and growing and growing," he said, adding that being able to confront those feelings is "the best feeling in the world". Matt replied: "Absolutely, mate. Absolutely. It's changed my life."
Sobriety milestone and fatherhood
Matt also asked Tom how long he had been sober, and the singer revealed he had reached a milestone of one year and two months. Matt offered his congratulations, saying: "Yes, bro. That's amazing, mate."
Tom said getting sober had made him more aware of his surroundings and that becoming a father had shifted his outlook. "After having my daughter, I was like, 'If I carry on doing what I'm doing here, I'm going to lose her,'" he said. He also admitted he had previously performed on stage while under the influence, and now understood the importance of showing respect to fans who had paid to watch him.
Emma Willis returns to host The Voice on ITV at 8.30pm on Saturday, October 31.
