Matt Willis
Matt Willis | |
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Born | Mathew James Willis 8 May 1983 |
Spouse | |
Children | 3 |
Musical career | |
Genres |
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Occupation(s) |
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Instrument(s) |
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Years active | 1998–present |
Labels | Mercury (2006–2008, 2012–present) Super (2013–2015) |
Mathew James Willis (born 8 May 1983), previously known as Matty Jay, is an English musician, singer, songwriter, television personality and actor. He is known as co-founder, bassist and co-vocalist of the pop-punk band Busted. Willis released his debut solo album Don't Let It Go to Waste on 20 November 2006. It contains three top-20 singles.[1]
In December 2006, Willis won the
Early life
Willis was born in Tooting in London on 8 May 1983. He has an older brother, but their parents separated when he was only three years old. His mother later remarried and had his half-sister.
Willis had three different last names legally while growing up. His original last name was Willis, after his father; this was changed to Woods after his parents split, and later it changed to Sargent after his mother remarried.
Willis has noted he was a "problem" child, regularly sneaking out of the house by climbing down drain pipes. He also as a child suffered from tunnel vision, asthma and hyperactivity problems. Willis attended Woking High School[2] after being asked to leave his previous secondary school, before leaving to attend the independent fee-paying Sylvia Young Theatre School in Marylebone, London, where he met his now friends Lee Ryan, Tom Fletcher, Billie Piper, Jodi Albert and the late Amy Winehouse.[3]
Career
Music career
Busted
Willis first found fame in the music industry as one third of the pop band Busted. The band's bassist and vocalist, Willis formed the band as well as co-writing almost all of their songs along with Charlie Simpson, James Bourne and Tom Fletcher, although the latter was a member of McFly. During their career, the trio became successful in the UK and began an upsurge of pop popularity. They had several chart successes and released two studio albums, one live album and a compilation of their greatest hits, available in the U.S.. The band disbanded in 2005 when Simpson left to pursue other projects.[4]
On 10 November 2015, Busted announced on their official website and social media that they would reform with a 13-date starting in 2016. Due to demand more dates were subsequently added. Busted released their third studio album,
Solo career
After a brief stint in rehab after Busted split, Matt launched a solo career on
McBusted
Willis' return to music saw him reunite with one of his ex-Busted bandmates (James Bourne) and with McFly to form the group, McBusted. After a successful tour, they released their debut album McBusted.[7] On 10 November 2015, it was announced that Simpson had decided to rejoin Busted after 10 years away from the band, as a consequence Willis confirmed that McBusted had parted ways for the time being putting the band on hiatus.
Television
In 2006, Willis took part in the sixth series of
Since winning I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, Willis has also pursued various presenting projects. On 14 February 2007, Willis presented
In January 2014, Willis played Garth Stubbs in the revival of Birds of a Feather on ITV, but did not return for the second series due to McBusted commitments and was replaced by Samuel James. In February 2014, Willis appeared in the short-term role of Luke Riley in EastEnders, the boyfriend of returning character Stacey Branning (Lacey Turner).[10]
In 2022, announcements stated Willis would host a documentary concerning his experiences with addiction.[11] The documentary, Matt Willis: Fighting Addiction, aired on 17 May 2023. Willis was praised for his honesty.[12][13] To promote the film, Willis appeared on The One Show, where he opined: "There's some incredible science behind addiction but I learnt a lot through hearing other people's stories which resonated with me [...] I've always been quite open and honest with [my children] but [my daughter and I] watched it together and she had the most incredible questions. I was blown away by her reaction to it."[14] Matt Willis: Fighting Addiction garnered two million viewers.[15]
Theatre work
In 2010, Willis made his theatrical debut as Nick in
Podcast
Willis is the co-host of
In 2023, Willis began his own podcast 'On The Mend' in which he interviews guests who 'have hit rock bottom and made it through to the other side'. [22] Guests included Raphael Rowe, Dougie Poynter and Bryony Gordon.
Personal life
In April 2005, aged 21, Willis stayed for three weeks at London's
Shortly after completing rehab, Willis was recruited to the Church of Scientology but later left the Church after they reportedly advised that he separate from his then-partner of three years, Emma Griffiths, whom the Church deemed to be a "suppressive person".[26]
On 5 July 2008, Willis married Griffiths at Rushton Hall, Northamptonshire. The couple have three children – two daughters born in 2009 and 2016,[27][28][29] and a son in November 2011.[30]
On 28 February 2010, Willis was injured in a skiing accident.[31]
During the
Discography
Studio albums
Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | |
---|---|---|---|
UK | SCO | ||
Don't Let It Go to Waste |
|
66 | 68 |
- Singles
Year | Title | Chart positions | Album | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
United Kingdom | Ireland | EU | |||
2006 | "Up All Night" | 7 | 29 | - | Don't Let It Go to Waste |
"Hey Kid" | 11 | 42 | - | ||
"Don't Let It Go to Waste" | 19 | 44 | - | ||
2007 | "Crash" | 31 | - | - | Mr. Bean's Holiday OST |
Filmography
Film/Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1998 | EastEnders | Teenager | Episode dated 9 January 1998 |
2000 | The Bill | Karl Barrett | Episode: "The Night Before" |
Casualty | Lenny Christie | Credited as Matt Sargeant | |
2003 | Busted: Christmas for Everyone | Matt | Television film; credited as Matt Jay |
2013 | Casualty | Rich Harris | Credited as Matt Jay-Willis |
Marple | Cayley | Episode: "Greenshaw's Folly" | |
2014 | EastEnders | Luke Riley | 6 episodes |
Birds of a Feather | Garth Stubbs | 7 episodes | |
Allies | Private Billy Munns | ||
2019 | Madness in the Method | Anthony Costalino | |
2023 | Matt Willis: Fighting Addiction | Himself | BBC documentary |
TBA | Wolves of War | Norwood |
Theatre
Year | Title | Role | Venue |
---|---|---|---|
2010 - 2011 | Flashdance | Nick Hurley | UK and Ireland tour |
2011 | Footloose | Chuck Cranson | UK and Ireland tour |
2011 - 2012 | Wicked | Fiyero
|
Apollo Victoria Theatre |
2018 | Little Shop of Horrors | Orin | Regent's Park Open Air Theatre |
2020 | A Christmas Carol | Bob Cratchit | Dominion Theatre |
2021 - 2022 | Waitress | Dr Pomatter | UK and Ireland tour |
2022 | 2:22 A Ghost Story | Ben | Criterion Theatre |
References
- ^ Kraines, Talia (20 November 2006). "BBC Music:Matt Willis Don't Let It Go To Waste Review". BBC. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
- ^ "22 Fascinating Facts about Woking!". Morrlaw. Morrisons Solicitors. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
- ISBN 978-1843588146.
- ^ "Busted bust up". 14 January 2005 – via www.theguardian.com.
- ^ Warner, Sam (11 May 2019). "Exclusive: Busted's Charlie Simpson reveals how the band have changed". Digital Spy. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
- ^ Fletcher, Alex; Dadds, Kimberly (2 August 2007). "Willis wants to stick with music career". Digital Spy. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
- ^ Lay, Sarah (5 December 2014). "McBusted debut album review". Louder Than War. Retrieved 25 December 2019.
- ISBN 978-0593073483.
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (12 November 2008). "Matt Willis: I hated doing the BAFTAS". Digital Spy. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (19 December 2013). "EastEnders: Matt Willis cast as Stacey Branning's boyfriend". Digital Spy. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
- ^ "Matt Willis announces addiction documentary for BBC". Digital Spy. 12 October 2022.
- ^ "TV tonight: Matt Willis is brutally honest about his addiction". The Guardian. 17 May 2023. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
- ^ Day, Harvey (17 May 2023). "Busted's Matt Willis: I'm nervous about my kids seeing my drug and alcohol past". BBC News. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
- ^ Jobling, Phoebe (15 May 2023). "Matt Willis says he 'won't relapse' on Busted tour as he shares daughter's 'incredible' reaction to addiction documentary". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
- ^ McHugh, Marian (18 May 2023). "Matt Willis addiction doc informs 2m". Broadcastnow.co.uk. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
- ^ Andrew Girvan (16 December 2010). "Matt Willis Steps from Flashdance to Footloose - Theatre News - 16 Dec 2010". whatsonstage. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
- ^ "Photos: Matt Willis & Gina Beck join West End Wicked". 27 January 2012. Archived from the original on 12 January 2014.
- ^ Millward, Tom. "Review - Little Shop of Horrors at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre". londontheatre.com. London Theatre. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
- ^ "Waitress UK and Ireland tour cast to include Lucie Jones, Matt Willis and Sandra Marvin | WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com.
- ^ Richardson, M (19 January 2020). "When No One Is Watching". Matt Richardson Comedy. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
- ^ "When No One's Watching on Apple Podcasts". podcasts.apple.com.
- ^ "On The Mend". Shows.acast.com.
- ^ "Matt Willis enters rehab after night with Amy Winehouse – Tabloid Hell". NME. 6 June 2008.
- ^ "Amy Winehouse sends Matt Willis back to rehab". 7 June 2008 – via www.thaindian.com.
- ^ "Emma Willis 'never worries' that her hubby Matt Willis might relapse". Metro. 17 April 2016.
- ^ Soguksu, Ayla (14 April 2021). "Matt Willis claims Church of Scientology tried to break up his marriage to Emma after joining post-rehab". OK!. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "Isabelle cathrine Willis was born at 9.05pm on Saturday the 20th! She is AMAZING and doing really well! Taking her home today. Xxx". Twitter. 22 June 2009. Retrieved 14 September 2011.
- ^ "Thank you so much for all your lovely messages. Trixie arrived in the world on Wednesday. May the 4th be with her indeed!'". Twitter. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
- ^ "Emma Willis and husband Matt welcome third baby'". Hello Magazine. 8 May 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
- ^ "I have a son and his name is Ace!". Twitter. 27 November 2011. Retrieved 14 September 2011.
- ^ Frankie Genchi (23 February 2010). "OMG! Matt Willis breaks his collarbone!". Fleckingrecords.co.uk. Retrieved 14 September 2011.
- ^ Davies, Alan (28 March 2021). "Celebrity Herts couple complete volunteer vaccination training with St John Ambulance". Herts Advertiser. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
External links
- Official website
- Matt Willis at IMDb