Matt Willis: The Recovery Project - Busted star to front 'ambitious' BBC documentary about drug addiction and rehabilitation
The Busted star and ex addict will launch an impressive pilot scheme in the show
Matt Willis is set to help people caught in the grips of addiction in the upcoming “ambitious” BBC documentary series, The Recovery Project.
The 42-year-old musician, who has himself struggled with addiction multiple times in the past, will front the show.
The series will see Busted star Matt travel across South Wales and lend his hand to a bold new pilot scheme that aims to give vulnerable people a second chance.
Here’s what we know about Matt Willis: The Recovery Project, including its start date and how many episodes it has.
Matt Willis: The Recovery Project – How it works
Matt’s documentary series will see him travel to South Wales to work with communities struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. In the show, he will look at how the UK currently supports recovery and will help to launch a new pilot scheme to aid addicts.
Matt will speak with experts in recovery and work in partnership with substance use charities within the communities. Together they will explore how employment, purpose and community can play a vital role in rebuilding lives.
As he establishes the scheme, Matt will also work to change the communities’ ways of thinking towards addiction. He will help those struggling to gain meaningful employment, and look at how having a sense of purpose can encourage people to rebuild their lives.
The Recovery Project comes to screens as drug-related deaths in England and Wales reach record highs.
Speaking about his new series, Matt said: “I know what it’s like to say, ‘I am a drug addict’, and the stigma that comes with that. I know what it’s like to go to rehab, I know what it’s like to relapse and I know what it’s like to be given a second chance.
“Because of that I’ve wanted to do a project like this for a long time. This is an exciting and ambitious chance to help others rebuild their lives and change the way we think and talk about addiction and recovery.”
Matt Willis’ own battle with drugs
Matt shot to fame as part of Busted in 2000. But he later began to struggle with drink and drugs as became heavily embroiled in the showbiz world.
Matt explored his past additions in BBC One documentary Matt Willis: Fighting Addiction. In the 2023 show, Matt’s TV star wife, Emma Willis, recalled the depths of his drug and alcohol abuse.
Tearful Emma believed Matt could die, and would drive around to local pubs at night to find him when he didn’t return home. She recalled: “It wasn’t easy. It’s been incredibly heavy at times.”
Matt, meanwhile, told the Life of Bryony podcast last year that illegal substances ‘gave him confidence’.
He said: “I’ve always felt ‘less than’ in pretty much every situation I go into. I always felt like everyone just thought I was a bit of a [bleep],” he said. “It gave me everything I didn’t have. It gave me confidence, it gave me ability to talk to people, to talk to girls, to talk to adults.
“[Booze and drugs] was a solution to my problem until it became my problem that I needed a solution from.”
After attending rehab on four occasions, Matt has remained sober for the past five years.
Matt Willis: From music star to TV host
Matt is now more than comfortable in front of the camera. He hosted I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here Now! for two years when he won the ITV jungle competition in 2006. Matt has also presented Love is Blind UK alongside wife Emma. Last year, they fronted the documentary Swiped: The School That Banned Smartphones together.
Speaking about Matt’s new documentary series, Nick Andrews, Head of Commissioning for BBC Cymru Wales, said: “Matt Willis’ fierce passion to tackle some the big issues caused by addiction is the driving force behind this ambitious project. We’re looking forward to documenting his journey every step of the way.”
Catherine Catton, Head of Commissioning, Factual Entertainment and Events for the BBC, added: “When you meet Matt, you see how deeply committed he is to helping others through recovery, and – through his own experiences – shining a light on the brutal reality of addiction.
“It’s a real privilege to follow Matt as he tries to bring this unique project to life, aiming to transform the lives of recovering addicts while trying to create something with genuine legacy – not just for those involved, but hopefully a framework that could be adopted across the UK.”
The Recovery Project: When does it start? How many episodes?
The Matt Willis: The Recovery Project is a documentary mini-series. It will be three episodes long. Each episode will last one hour.
The BBC is yet to confirm when the documentary series will air but expect it on screens on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in 2026.
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