With Emma Willis reportedly poised to become the new host of BBC's flagship show Strictly Come Dancing, attention has turned to her life off-screen with husband Matt Willis. The TV presenter, 49, is best known for hosting Big Brother, The Voice, and Channel 4's The Circle, experience that insiders say makes her a 'safe pair of hands' for the prestigious role.
How Emma and Matt Willis Met and Married
Emma and Matt have been married since 2008, having first crossed paths in 2004 when Emma worked as a presenter on MTV and Matt appeared on the show with his band Busted. Emma recalled to Cosmopolitan: 'I'd see him wearing baggy jeans, waddling around like a duck so they didn't fall down. He used to wear makeup and have weird hairstyles. But I remember thinking underneath all that was a really cute guy.'
Matt proposed in Venice in 2007, and they wed a year later at Ruston Hall in Northamptonshire. Speaking to Metro in 2024, Matt explained his decision: 'I was kind of like "I'm going to ask her to marry me because I don't want her to go away." That was it for me.' They renewed their vows on their tenth anniversary at the same venue.
Their Partnership Through Addiction
In the 2022 BBC documentary Matt Willis: Fighting Addiction, the couple opened up about Matt's past struggles. Emma admitted she came close to leaving him 'many times' due to his addiction. She told The Telegraph: 'Your relationship progresses and you realise that there is a real issue, and it's not just a young kid who has got a lot of money very quickly.'
Despite the challenges, they have remained strong. Matt marked their 16th wedding anniversary with an Instagram post: 'I love you more than ever. 16 years and it keeps getting better.' Emma responded: '16 years since we said I do. Love you forever bab.'
Their Children and Family Life
The couple share three children: Isabelle (born June 20, 2009), Ace (born November 26, 2011), and Trixie (born May 2016). They keep their kids out of the public eye, rarely sharing photos online and often hiding their faces when they do. Their son Ace has been praised for breaking gender stereotypes by wearing long hair and pink clothing.
Matt has been open about discussing his addiction with their eldest daughter. He told The One Show: 'We watched the documentary together and she had the most incredible questions. I thought it was important as her friends or parents at school might watch it so I wanted to preempt her with that.'
Emma and Matt currently live in a £1.7 million home in Hertfordshire. They have also hosted Netflix's Love Is Blind UK together for two seasons, with a third on the way. As Emma prepares for what could be her biggest TV gig yet, the couple's enduring bond remains a testament to their commitment through both personal and professional highs and lows.
