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Glasgow Live
National
Keiran Fleming

Matt and Emma Willis breakdown after visit to Kirkintilloch addiction support group

Busted star Matt Willis and his wife Emma visited a Kirkintilloch addictions support group as they opened up on his struggle with drugs in a new BBC documentary which aired last night.

Matt Willis: Fighting Addiction explores how his addiction impacted his family, with the couple, who met in 2004, having been married for 15 years.

The pop star difficulties with cocaine started around 2002 during the height of Busted's fame.

The 40-year-old checked into rehab after his reliance on the drug worsened following the band's split in 2005. Emma stood by her partner even though they were still in the early stages of their relationship.

READ MORE: Man found dead on 'bloodbath' street named locally as second person arrested in connection with death

Matt said: "The effect addiction has on families is huge, recently me and Emma have become much more open and its becoming more and more apparent that its not just me going through it."

The pair joined a group session with Scottish Families, a charity based in Kirkintilloch that helps those who are battling or have been impacted by alcohol or drug problems.

Emma said: "I am really nervous about it if I am honest. It's the unknown isn't it? I've never been in a group therapy situation ever.

"For a long long time I didn't want to live and breathe it constantly I just wanted to leave it there," she continued as she spoke tearfully into the camera.

"Maybe I should have back then delved into it a bit more and talked to people who were in a similar position and I didn't, I didn't really talk to anyone."

Matt and Emma have been married for 15 years (Sunday Mirror)

The couple sat down and listened to those in the group tell their stories.

On member, Mary, revealed that her son had been battling addiction for most of his life.

She said: "Sometimes I get angry and think 'thats it' and then I think how he is feeling and it really really upsets me, it's very hard and very tiring."

Teenager Chloe opened up about both of her parents being addicts and how she was taken in by her Grandad, who has now sadly passed away.

Emma then revealed that she had never joined in with a group like this before. The TV presenter said: "I am married to Matt who has problems with addiction.

"He has been clean five years now and I have never attended a group like this or really spoken I suppose. I didn't know groups like this existed.

"It's fascinating to hear everyones relationships with somebody who struggles with addiction.

"When I hear you guys speak I can absolutely relate."

The couple were very emotional after the meeting (BBC)

Chloe added: "We all have different stories but if you speak you are not alone, we can all understand each other."

"You're walking into something that is potentially really triggering and emotional," Emma explained as she spoke to the cameras.

"And it was both of those things but in a productive way and a useful way. To listen to those two young girls Chloe and Maddie talk about their experience, I can't help imagine but what if it were my kids and that keeps me adamant that we keep Matt as peaceful as we can and as supported as we can."

As Matt and Emma sat in the taxi leaving the hub, the TV presenter asked her husband if the Kirkintilloch group helped him understand what it is like for family members when someone they love is struggling with addiction.

The Busted star said: "Yeah definitely, and the kids that really really got to me.

"Stay on the right path, its a destroyer to families and life."

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