Matt Willis – Biography, Wife, Net Worth, and 2025 Cabaret Show

Matt Willis, best known as the co-founder, bassist, and co-vocalist of the pop-punk band Busted, has built a career that spans music, film, television, and podcasting. Born on 8 May 1983 in Tooting, London, he rose to fame in the early 2000s and has since evolved into a stage actor, mental health advocate, and host of the recovery-focused podcast On The Mend.

Willis has been married to television presenter Emma Griffiths, known professionally as Emma Willis, since 5 July 2008. The couple have three children and have often spoken publicly about his addiction recovery and their shared commitment to mental health advocacy. In 2025, Willis returned to live performance as the Emcee in a London production of Cabaret, marking one of his most prominent stage roles to date.

His public narrative weaves together pop stardom, a pivot into acting and presenting, a high-profile marriage, and a transparent battle with addiction. Willis’s openness about his recovery has positioned him as an advocate, while his cabaret run and ongoing podcast work keep him in the public eye.

Who Is Matt Willis Married To?

• Matt Willis is best known as the co-founder, bassist, and co-vocalist of the pop-rock band Busted, which achieved four UK number-one albums.
• He has transitioned into acting, with notable roles in Mr. Bean’s Holiday and Stormbreaker, and has become a television presenter and personality.
• Willis has been open about his struggles with addiction and co-hosts the podcast On The Mend with his wife Emma, focusing on mental health and recovery.
• He is currently performing in a cabaret show in London, eight times a week, until 23 May 2025.
• His marriage to TV presenter Emma Willis (since 2008) is a central aspect of his public persona, and the couple has three children.

What Band Is Matt Willis In?

Busted: Co-founder and Co-vocalist

Willis co-founded Busted with James Bourne in 2002. The band released its debut single What I Go to School For that year and went on to release four UK number-one albums. Their second album A Present for Everyone reached No. 1 in 2004 before the group disbanded in early 2005. Busted later reformed in 2015 for tours and new music, including the album Night Driver (2016) and Greatest Hits 2.0 in 2023.

Solo Career and Mercury Records

After Busted’s initial split, Willis launched a solo career on Mercury Records. He released tracks such as Up All Night, Hey Kid, and Don’t Let It Go to Waste, as well as a cover of Crash for the film Mr. Bean’s Holiday. His solo album Don’t Let It Go to Waste came out on 20 November 2006.

What Acting Roles Has Matt Willis Had?

Film Appearances

Willis made his acting debut in 2006 with a role in Stormbreaker, playing a government agent. He later appeared in Mr. Bean’s Holiday (2007) and the film adaptation of Thunderbirds. These roles helped establish him as a screen presence beyond music.

West End and Stage Work

Willis portrayed Fiyero in the West End production of Wicked, one of the most popular musicals in London. In 2025, he took on the role of the Emcee in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, a demanding part that he performs eight times a week. His stage credits reflect a deliberate move into live theatre.

What Is Matt Willis’s Net Worth?

No official figure for Willis’s net worth has been disclosed. Public estimates from various sources place it in the range of £3-5 million, though these figures are speculative. His income streams include music royalties from Busted, solo album sales, television and film appearances, podcast earnings, and live performance fees. His talent agency profile, available through Ymu Group, lists an extensive range of credits that support the likelihood of a multi-million-pound financial standing.

What Is the Matt Willis Cabaret Show?

Willis is performing as the Emcee in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club in London. The production runs until 23 May 2025, with eight performances per week. This role represents one of his most significant stage engagements and has drawn attention from both theatre critics and Busted fans.

1. 1983 – Born on 8 May in Kingston upon Thames, England.
2. 2002 – Co-founded Busted with James Bourne; debut single What I Go to School For released.
3. 2004 – Busted’s second album A Present for Everyone reaches No. 1 in the UK; band breaks up in 2005.
4. 2006 – Acting debut in Stormbreaker; appears in Mr. Bean’s Holiday in 2007.
5. 2008 – Marries television presenter Emma Griffiths (Emma Willis).
6. 2009 – First child Isabelle born; later two more children.
7. 2015 – Busted reforms for a tour and new album Night Driver (2016).
8. 2020 – Launches podcast On The Mend with Emma Willis, discussing addiction and mental health.
9. 2023 – Busted releases Greatest Hits 2.0 and tours; Willis publicly shares his addiction journey.
10. 2025 – Currently performing in a cabaret show in London; podcast continues.

Who Are Matt Willis’s Parents?

Details about Willis’s parents are limited in public records. He grew up in London and later lived in Essex, but the names and occupations of his parents have not been widely reported. This stands in contrast to well-documented areas of his life such as his marriage, band history, and filmography.

How Does Matt Willis’s Public Narrative Connect Music, Acting, and Advocacy?

Willis’s career trajectory reflects a deliberate evolution from pop star to multifaceted public figure. His early success with Busted gave him a platform that he later used to transition into television and theatre. His marriage to Emma Willis, a well-known TV presenter, kept the couple in the public eye and led to joint projects such as the podcast On The Mend.

His openness about addiction and recovery has added a layer of authenticity to his public image. By discussing his own struggles, Willis has cultivated what analysts describe as “earned trust” that appeals both to nostalgic Busted fans and to audiences interested in mental health. This dual appeal has sustained his relevance across different media and live performance.

Where Can Verified Information About Matt Willis Be Found?

The most comprehensive factual biography of Willis is available on Wikipedia, which covers his music career, acting roles, and personal life with citations. His official filmography is maintained on IMDb, listing all credited screen appearances. His talent agency profile at Ymu Group provides a professional overview of his current bookings and career highlights.

Willis’s verified Instagram account (@mattjwillis) is his only official social media presence, where he identifies as “husband, father, bass player, podcast host.” Additional context about his music career can be found through AllMusic, which documents his discography and solo work.

What Is the Complete Story of Matt Willis?

Matt Willis’s career moves from pop-punk stardom with Busted to solo music, acting, West End theatre, and mental health advocacy. His marriage to Emma Willis remains a stable presence in his public life, while his current cabaret role and podcast work keep him active across multiple fields. The lack of official disclosure on his net worth and family background leaves some questions open, but his professional record is well documented.

Frequently Asked Questions About Matt Willis