Copyright walesonline
Bushtucker Trials, sleeping in hammocks and creepy crawlies are some of the difficult things that the cast of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here have to endure whilst on the show. However, one past winner has expressed that the real trials kicked off when he left the show. The presenter and co-founder of Busted, Matt Willis has expressed regret over his decision to appear on the show back in 2006. Despite winning the sixth series of the ITV reality show, Matt believes that the aftermath of his success exacerbated his struggles with alcohol and drug addiction. Speaking on the his podcast, On The Mend, he revealed: "I was in a pretty bad place." For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter . He explained how his record company had refused to release his solo album unless he raised his profile, suggesting he participate in I'm A Celebrity. Eager for his album's release, Matt agreed: "The record company basically weren't going to release my solo album ... They said, 'You've got to do something to raise your profile. Will you go on I'm A Celebrity?' I went, 'Yep, absolutely. Anything, please release my album.'". However, after his stint on the show, Matt found that people were more interested in his TV appearance than his music. He said: "Once I came out of that show, I realised no one cared that I had a record out. Everywhere I went, they just wanted to talk about I'm A Celebrity. And it really bummed me out." The sudden surge in recognition also proved challenging for Matt, who was battling addiction at the time. He recalled: "Before I went on that show, I was only really famous to Busted fans. Then I came out and everyone knew who I was. "When you're in active addiction - which I was at the time - and you just want to hide, that's the worst thing that can happen. Suddenly there were paps everywhere I went. I'd get in a cab and the driver would say, 'Hello Matt'. It was such a weird experience." Despite the boost to his profile, Matt now considers his decision to appear on the show a mistake. The pop star felt as though he had "lost [himself]" through the experience. Matt confessed: "I realised I'd probably made a bit of a mistake going on that show. I should have been coming out feeling great because I won - but I didn't. "I felt like I won the show but lost myself. I'd become known for being a celebrity rather than for my music." In August 2025, the musician announced he had been sober for eight years. He thanked his family, including his wife and fellow presenter Emma Willis, whom he married in 2008. Matt shared: "This week I celebrated 8 years of sobriety. This one feels different. It marks the same length of time I had before my last relapse… and this time I know I’m in a completely different place. "I try not to think too far ahead in life, but this milestone was one I wanted to reach. Recovery has to stay front and centre. It might seem selfish when I have a wife and three children, but without sobriety I lose all of that. What I’ve learned is that if I look after my recovery, my connection to a higher power, my health and my mental health, I actually have more of myself to give. It creates space to be a present husband and father, which is everything to me. "I wouldn’t be here without some incredible people in my life. My wife. My partner in everything, the good and the bad. A good man who knows his coffee. A good man who loves sobriety (and golf). And all of you who listen to On The Mend and reach out to me here. "People sometimes ask if being so open about recovery affects me negatively. Honestly, it’s the opposite. In recovery we pass the message to those still struggling and in doing that, we remind ourselves how far we’ve come… and how close we are to going back if we forget. "I don’t often say this, but today I’m really proud of who I am, and who I’m becoming. Thank you to everyone who has supported me on this journey so far. I’ve got some big plans for the next couple of years… let’s see how far we can go. Peace & love, Matt xx"
