Emma Willis has revealed that she has 'started therapy' after failing to address her mental health problems for years. The 50-year-old TV star, who is reportedly set to be confirmed as one of the replacements for Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman on Strictly Come Dancing, opened up about taking the 'huge' step during a conversation with her husband, Matt Willis, for his podcast On The Mend.
Emma's Journey to Therapy
Speaking on the streets of London, Emma admitted that she had not been taking any action for her mental health until now. 'I don't really take any but I do now because I've started having therapy. It's huge. I wouldn't have done it on my own,' she said. She noted that while she knew what to expect from therapy, the speed of its effectiveness surprised her. 'What was most surprising was how quickly it works because it is a long process and you have to work at it but I felt benefits quite quickly.' She added, 'I mean, I'm not cured but definite little tips that helped me straight away, I'm on the mend.'
Strictly Come Dancing Frontrunner
Emma is reportedly the frontrunner to replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman on Strictly Come Dancing after a cutthroat audition process. She is said to have impressed during chemistry tests, with the BBC viewing her as a 'safe pair of hands'. A source revealed, 'Emma has been offered the Strictly job and is going to accept. She absolutely nailed the chemistry tests and the BBC adore her.' The source added that Emma is a household name and incredibly popular with the public, making her a perfect fit for the role.
Emma's potential appointment comes after Zoe Ball publicly admitted she had lost out on the job, stating she is 'working through the seven stages of grief and rejection'. A producer who worked with Emma previously praised her, saying, 'If anyone can turn things around for Strictly, it's her. There's something she has on screen, a mix of vulnerability and confidence, that everyone just falls in love with.'
Emma's Television Experience
Emma is well-versed in Saturday night television, having raised viewing figures on The Voice UK by two million when she took over from Holly Willoughby in 2014. She has also honed her live presenting skills on Big Brother and through stand-in stints on This Morning. The producer noted, 'She is one of the most determined professionals I've ever worked with. This won't be the first show she's joined when things were looking shaky and she's always worked some magic.'
During the chat with Matt, Emma cut a low-key figure in a beige jacket layered over a white top and blue jeans, a stark contrast to the glitz and glamour of Strictly.
