Matt Willis Reflects on Guilt Over Estrangement from Amy Winehouse Before Her Death

Matt Willis has spoken about the profound guilt he experienced after distancing himself from his close friend, Amy Winehouse, as he focused on his own sobriety before her death.

Willis, a member of the band Busted, and Winehouse, who died in 2011 at the age of 27, grew up together in London and shared a close bond. Both artists battled significant addictions.

As Willis prepared for his wedding to his wife, Emma, he made the decision to remove himself from relationships and environments that could jeopardize his recovery. This included stepping away from Winehouse.

"It hit me like a ton of bricks, I had a lot of guilt," Willis stated in a recent interview. "I loved her so much, we were really close. When she died I was clean. I hadn't seen her for a while because I had to remove myself from everyone, from places that were dangerous, and then she died."

He expressed regret that he was unable to offer Winehouse support during her struggles. "And I felt some guilt about that because I was like 'I had something to pass on to you,' and I didn't get the chance to do that."

Willis also shared that it took him a considerable amount of time to discuss Winehouse's passing. He would leave shops if her music was playing, as it would bring him to tears.

Earlier this year, Willis revealed that his wedding to television presenter Emma took place just three days after he completed a stint in rehab. The couple, married in 2008, have three children.

Willis has been candid about his past struggles with addiction, which began after achieving fame at 19. He entered rehabilitation three times before the age of 25, including once shortly before his wedding after his wife issued an ultimatum regarding his substance abuse.

In an episode of his podcast, "On The Mend," Willis described a severe binge of alcohol and drugs that occurred when Emma was away filming weeks before their wedding. He recounted fearing for his life due to his "24/7" drinking.

After an incident where he was found passed out in the street after fleeing a rehabilitation center, Willis committed to recovery. He successfully completed rehab and married Emma shortly thereafter. He recalled being sober on his wedding day, though anxious, with his counselor present.

"I shouldn't have been there really when I think about it. It was terrible, you know, to come out of rehab and get married three days later," he reflected. "But if I hadn't done that, I would not have been at that day. I would have not turned up or I would have let her [Emma] down in some way and it wouldn't have happened."

The couple later renewed their vows in 2018 to celebrate their tenth anniversary.