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Mending: Busted, Breaking and Getting Better
As part of Busted, Matt Willis played to the biggest crowds, toured the world, and was the wild and daring face of noughties pop. But when the shows were over there was always something else on his mind - alcohol, drugs and keeping the party going.
Twenty years later, Matt has forged a career as a solo musician, actor, presenter and podcast host. He's happily married to presenter Emma Willis, with three amazing children, and has been clean and sober for eight years. He is in recovery. But the journey doesn't stop. From the temptations of touring, the pressures of career evolution, and the feeling that addiction can be hard-wired, it's something he works at every day, and something he is passionate about sharing with others who might be struggling.
On one level, this is Matt's story, from a vulnerable start on a Surrey council estate, via stage school and finding his tribe, through relationships (good and bad), parenthood, huge success, rock bottom, to finally finding a way back to who he truly is. But it's not your typical memoir. It's also a story of how to a roadmap of resilience and hope that shows that it's not being fixed that's the goal, it's mending.
Twenty years later, Matt has forged a career as a solo musician, actor, presenter and podcast host. He's happily married to presenter Emma Willis, with three amazing children, and has been clean and sober for eight years. He is in recovery. But the journey doesn't stop. From the temptations of touring, the pressures of career evolution, and the feeling that addiction can be hard-wired, it's something he works at every day, and something he is passionate about sharing with others who might be struggling.
On one level, this is Matt's story, from a vulnerable start on a Surrey council estate, via stage school and finding his tribe, through relationships (good and bad), parenthood, huge success, rock bottom, to finally finding a way back to who he truly is. But it's not your typical memoir. It's also a story of how to a roadmap of resilience and hope that shows that it's not being fixed that's the goal, it's mending.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 8, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 9, 2026
A really raw and honest account of Matt’s struggles with addiction. I really enjoyed this, although parts were difficult to read. I appreciated how willing he was to share the messy, painful parts of his life and be honest about things that must be incredibly hard to put out there for everyone to judge.
There’s something really moving about that level of openness. It made me appreciate the strength it takes to keep trying when things are difficult, and how much courage it takes to look back and talk honestly about what you’ve been through. Matt comes across as such a strong person, but you can also feel his vulnerability, which made this feel so personal.
I finished it with a lot of respect for him. An emotional read, and one I’m really glad I picked up.
There’s something really moving about that level of openness. It made me appreciate the strength it takes to keep trying when things are difficult, and how much courage it takes to look back and talk honestly about what you’ve been through. Matt comes across as such a strong person, but you can also feel his vulnerability, which made this feel so personal.
I finished it with a lot of respect for him. An emotional read, and one I’m really glad I picked up.
October 9, 2026
As a big Busted fan, I absolutely flew through this book, finishing it in just two days. I couldn't put it down!
Mending is so much more than your typical celebrity autobiography. Matt Willis is brutally honest and doesn't shy away from the darkest moments of his life. Reading about the rollercoaster he's been on with addiction, the highs and lows of rehab, and the heartbreaking reality of relapsing is genuinely difficult at times. It's a raw, emotional and, at points, uncomfortable read, but that's exactly what makes it so powerful.
It highlights just how complicated addiction can be and how recovery isn't always a straightforward journey.
More than anything, I couldn't help but feel incredibly proud of Matt and everything he's overcome, both personally and professionally. The fact that he's now using his experiences to advocate for others struggling with addiction makes his story all the more meaningful.
Mending is so much more than your typical celebrity autobiography. Matt Willis is brutally honest and doesn't shy away from the darkest moments of his life. Reading about the rollercoaster he's been on with addiction, the highs and lows of rehab, and the heartbreaking reality of relapsing is genuinely difficult at times. It's a raw, emotional and, at points, uncomfortable read, but that's exactly what makes it so powerful.
It highlights just how complicated addiction can be and how recovery isn't always a straightforward journey.
More than anything, I couldn't help but feel incredibly proud of Matt and everything he's overcome, both personally and professionally. The fact that he's now using his experiences to advocate for others struggling with addiction makes his story all the more meaningful.
October 13, 2026
As someone who found busted through her older cousin showing me there music it was nice to read how the bad got together and everything Matt has been through show how resilient and self respect he has
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews