Emma Willis reportedly made working alongside husband Matt Willis a priority after his addiction struggles brought their marriage close to breaking point.
According to an unnamed TV insider who spoke to The Sun, Emma believed joint projects would help the couple spend more time together. The claim comes as Emma and Matt share candid marriage admissions while fronting the third series of Netflix dating show Love Is Blind UK.
The pair married in 2008 and have three children. Their television partnership now forms a major part of their public profile, but they have endured difficult periods away from the cameras.
Why Emma Willis reportedly wanted to work with Matt
The Sun’s source claimed Emma had considered leaving during the worst points of Matt’s alcohol and drug addiction. However, the couple worked on their relationship and sought professional help.
Matt has previously discussed struggling with addiction after finding fame with Busted at 19. He entered rehab during the early months of his relationship with Emma but later relapsed.
Another relapse followed when Busted reunited for a tour in 2017. Matt had spent eight years sober by that stage, and the couple already had three children. He has since spoken openly about relapsing after eight years of sobriety and the strain it placed on his marriage.
The relapse almost ended their relationship, according to The Sun. Instead of separating, Emma and Matt turned to marriage counselling.
The newspaper’s insider alleged that working together then became especially important to Emma.
“Many people have forgotten just how close Matt and Emma came to splitting up. Matt was your typical rockstar who just wanted to drink, take drugs and party,” they said.
“There were times when Emma contemplated walking away. But she has the patience of a saint and together they worked on their marriage. She helped Matt get sober and their careers have flourished ever since.”
How Love Is Blind UK brought Emma and Matt together on TV
The insider claimed Emma seized the opportunity when her agent learnt that Love Is Blind UK needed a married presenting team. Emma reportedly encouraged Matt to watch the US version, and the pair quickly became hooked on the format.
They eventually landed the presenting roles and now guide contestants through the Netflix experiment. The latest series took them to Ibiza, a place Emma has described as the couple’s “happy place”.
Their joint television work extends beyond Love Is Blind UK. The Sun reports that they have also presented programmes for Channel 4 and ITV, including Celebrity Sabotage.
Both continue to pursue separate projects too. According to the paper, Matt is working on BBC series The Recovery Project, which will help people recovering from addiction in south Wales find work. Emma, meanwhile, is taking on a new presenting role with Strictly Come Dancing.
Emma explains the secret to their marriage
Emma offered a more personal explanation for their enduring relationship during an appearance on the Tea at Four podcast.
Asked why they had become a television power couple, Matt said he found the label funny. Emma added: “We’re like, we haven’t got a [bleep]ing clue.”
She then explained: “We just really like each other. I mean, I love him. I fancy him. He’s my best friend and he’s really, along with the kids, the only person I really want to spend all my time with.”
Emma said their relationship had improved as they grew and changed together, adding that “it just gets better and better”.
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