Matt Willis has Emma Willis’ full support (Picture: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Matt Willis’ new documentary details his struggle with addiction and although his wife Emma Willis initially needed convincing to participate she is fully supportive of his openness.
During the darkest days of his addiction, Emma, 47, remained steadfast in her love and care, and she is continuing to stand by his side as he gives an intimate insight into his struggles.
The BBC documentary has been a project for Matt, 40, for the past six months, and on the day it was released Emma shared an Instagram post with a lengthy caption showing just how much she’s got his back.
She initially explained why she was ‘nervous’ for the world to see the film: ‘Matt and I have always tried to keep ourselves as private as we can whilst working in a very public industry. So, as you can probably imagine, we’re incredibly nervous about this film going out into the world.’
The TV presenter also revealed how she found the filming process, before defending Matt’s right to be loved.
‘Personally, it was tough to relive that period in our lives but it was also incredibly cathartic to talk through those dark days.
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‘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 programme initially started as an analysis of addiction science but became about Matt’s personal experience and how it affected their family in a bid to help others suffering from addiction. The couple, who married in 2018, share three children – Isabelle, 13, and Trixie, seven, 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.
Emma and Matt show the difficulties of addiction in the documentary (Picture: BBC)
Emma told Matt that he is worthy of love (Picture: Instagram/Emma Willis)
‘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 defence of Matt comes after the show drew 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.
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.’
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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.
Loose Women star Nadia Sawalha drew comparisons to her own experiences with husband Mark Adderley: ‘This was both a beautiful love story and a raw, powerful account of what living with addiction is like.
‘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.
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‘We shouldn’t feel like we have to hide certain parts of ourselves to be loved.’
