Busted musician Matt Willis has a definitive reason to turn down competing on the BBC ballroom competition, Strictly Come Dancing. The 43-year-old singer shared that producers have approached him multiple times over the years. However, his wife Emma Willis joining the show as a co-host gives him the ultimate excuse to decline future offers.
Speaking in a recent interview, Willis admitted that the high-pressure environment of the live television broadcast holds zero appeal for him. With his wife taking over hosting duties alongside fellow presenters Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe, the musician says he is happily off the hook.
Why Matt Willis Refuses to Join the Ballroom
Having previously triumphed by winning the sixth series of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! in 2006, Matt Willis is no stranger to reality television. However, stepping onto the dancefloor for a live weekly ballroom contest remains outside his comfort zone.
“Now I have a very valid reason to turn it down. I can’t think of anything worse,” Willis told The Telegraph, describing the prospect of competing on the show. “It’d be like the first night in the theatre, but every week.”
When asked if he and Emma might ever team up for television presenting beyond their co-hosting role on Netflix’s reality dating series Love Is Blind UK, Willis quickly ruled out a joint dance appearance. “No, no. We do Love Is Blind, that’s about as far as my TV presenting goes. It’s not my bag,” he explained.
Proud Support for Emma Willis’s New Role
While Matt has no desire to lace up his dancing shoes, he expressed immense pride in his wife’s major career move. Emma Willis, 50, took over hosting the series this season alongside Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe, stepping into the roles previously held by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
“Taking the biggest job on TV was not on our bingo card for 2026, but I’m so proud of her. And if anyone can do it, it’s her,” Matt Willis said. He noted that the job felt like a wonderful “curveball” because it was a role she genuinely wanted, even if she was initially hesitant to voice her ambitions out loud.
A Lasting Partnership Built on Resilience
Beyond television and music, the couple-who have been married since 2008 and share three children-frequently speak candidly about their strong bond. Over the years, Matt has been transparent about his historic battles with drug and alcohol addiction, openly crediting Emma with helping him navigate his darkest moments.
“If I didn’t have her, I don’t know who I would have had to drag me out of it,” he reflected. “When you hit rock bottom, eventually you want to turn your life around. But having someone that loved me was massive. Knowing I had her was enough for me to go, ‘OK, maybe I’m worth doing this for’.”
Although the couple acknowledges they are vastly different people compared to when they first met, Matt emphasized that they have successfully embraced and fallen in love with these evolved versions of themselves. This cements a partnership spanning nearly two decades in the public eye.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matt and Emma Willis
Why did Matt Willis turn down Strictly Come Dancing?
Matt Willis turned down the show because he dislikes the high-pressure environment of a live weekly broadcast. He compares it to experiencing the nerve-wracking first night of a theatrical play every single week. His wife Emma joining the show as a host gave him a valid reason to permanently decline.
Who is hosting Strictly Come Dancing?
Emma Willis joined the presenting lineup alongside Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe, taking over hosting responsibilities for the popular BBC competition.
What other TV shows have Matt and Emma Willis hosted together?
The couple co-hosts the UK edition of the Netflix reality dating series Love Is Blind UK, which launched in 2024.
When did Matt and Emma Willis get married?
Matt and Emma Willis tied the knot in 2008 and share three children together.
What reality show did Matt Willis win?
Matt Willis won the sixth season of ITV’s I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! in 2006, alongside his career as a member of the pop-rock band Busted.
