Matt Willis’ latest documentary reveals his battle with addiction, and while his wife Emma Willis was first hesitant to join, she is now totally supportive of his candour.
Emma, 47, stayed strong in her love and care for him during the worst days of his addiction, and she is still at his side as he shares sensitive details of his troubles.
Matt, 40, has been working on the BBC documentary for the past six months, and on the day it was released, Emma uploaded an Instagram image with a lengthy statement expressing how much she supports him.
She first revealed why she was ‘nervous’ for the world to watch the film: ‘Matt and I have always tried to keep ourselves as private as we can although working in a highly public business. As you might guess, we’re really concerned about the film’s release into the public.’
The TV host also discussed how she felt about the filming experience before supporting Matt’s freedom to love.
‘Personally, it was tough to relive that period in our lives but it was also incredibly cathartic to talk through those dark days.
‘As humans, we’re all imperfect, and we shouldn’t feel like we have to hide certain parts of ourselves to be loved. Ultimately it was our love and hard graft that have got us to where we are now.’
The hour-long broadcast began as an examination of addiction science but quickly shifted to Matt’s personal story and how it affected his family in an effort to help those suffering from addiction. The pair married in 2018 and has three children: Isabelle, 13, Trixie, 7, and Ace, 11.
Emma is proud of what he created, and who he is: ‘Matt amazes me every day with his resilience, strength, and determination. He is everything to everyone around him and it astounds me that he cannot see what we all see in him.
‘In the doc he shares a piece from his gratitude journal and reads three sentences he always includes: I am not my thoughts. I am worthy of love. I am enough. Matt, you’re more than enough and we love you.’
Emma’s support of Matt came after the programme received some criticism.
One person wrote: ‘Watching #mattwillis #FightingAddiction and very disappointed. Too much about himself, talking about the tour, not a lot about fighting addiction.’ Director and Producer did a poor job on this.’
‘I don’t think he shows enough gratitude to his amazing wife,’ added another. ‘I’m not even 5 minutes into #MattWillis #FightingAddiction & I’ve no idea how or why #EmmaWillis has put up with him,’ one viewer shared.
https://twitter.com/LizLewisTravels/status/1658935004422963201
I don’t think he shows enough gratitude to his amazing wife
— Emma Wilson Duffy (@missemmawilson) May 17, 2023
I’m not even 5 minutes into #MattWillis #FightingAddiction & I’ve no idea how or why #EmmaWillis has put up with him.
— andiwilllookup (@susannarose99) May 17, 2023
Of course they also had plenty of support – some of their celebrity friends commented on Emma’s post. ‘Moving and beautifully done. Love you both,’ wrote AJ Odudu. Dawn French added: ‘Props to you both for your honesty & humility x’ Whilst Zoe Ball commented: ‘Only love for you both, so many go through these battles. bravo for shining a light & sharing your experiences.’
Viewers also commended the couple: ‘Matt Willis: Fighting Addiction breaks your heart. I applaud his brutal honesty, it’s a horrible illness,’ tweeted one viewer and many others echoed his sentiments.
Matt Willis: Fighting Addiction breaks your heart. I applaud his brutal honesty, it’s a horrible illness.
— Paul McCluskey (@pgmccluskey) May 17, 2023
‘This was both a lovely love story and a genuine, compelling picture of what life with addiction is like,’ said Nadia Sawalha, star of Loose Women.
‘My fella and I were riveted as we heard so many similarities from our own story. You are both incredibly brave. Thank you to both of you.’
Matt Willis: Fighting Addiction is available on iPlayer.