Matt Willis, the 43-year-old musician and husband of newly announced Strictly Come Dancing host Emma Willis, has revealed he returned to therapy to address deep-rooted feelings of insecurity and inadequacy.
Struggling Despite Success
The former I'm A Celebrity winner and Busted star admitted that despite a thriving career and family life, he felt "flat" and guilty for not feeling happier. "I just feel a little bit flat. I don't really know why. I feel a bit guilty for saying it, if I'm honest," he said on his podcast On The Mend.
Willis explained that he has long carried a painful self-image from childhood, believing he was "a dirty, disgusting kid who nobody wanted." This belief persisted into adulthood, affecting his sense of self-worth even as he achieved professional success.
Life-Changing Therapy Sessions
After seven sessions, Willis described the experience as "life-changing." He now acknowledges that while that childhood version of himself still exists, it no longer defines him. "That kid's still there with me, but he doesn't define who I am now," he said.
His openness about mental health continues a pattern of candor; Willis has previously discussed his battles with addiction, having been to rehab four times and maintaining sobriety for nearly nine years.
Family and Career Milestones
Willis's revelation comes as his wife Emma was confirmed as one of the new hosts of Strictly Come Dancing, alongside Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe, replacing Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman in September 2026. The couple, married since July 2008, share three children: Isabelle, 16, Ace, 14, and Trixie, nine.
Despite starring as the Emcee in Cabaret at London's Kit Kat Club since January—a dream role—Willis admitted feeling overwhelmed and anxious. "I feel anxious and cross with myself for feeling like this. I feel not good enough to do it," he confessed.
Confronting Childhood Trauma
Willis noted that he had previously avoided confronting certain childhood traumas, fearing it would be like opening "Pandora's box." However, the therapy sessions proved transformative. He encourages others to embrace vulnerability rather than projecting a false image of perfection. "I think a lot of us want to project an image of something, so we give off this kind of bullshit spiel, or we don't want to admit vulnerability," he said.
