I’m A Celebrity winner Matt Willis on why he hasn’t done any more reality TV (2024)

Matt Willis entered the I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here jungle back in 2006, instantly becoming a fan favourite and winning the crown.

But despite the Busted star loving his time in Oz, he didn’t pop up on any more reality TV following his win.

Speaking exclusively to Digital Spy, Matt explained his reasons, saying: "I had an amazing time on the show, but when I came out of the show, I didn’t really like that.

"I was suddenly really famous, I found it really difficult, and I didn’t really like it.

"Before I went in there, Busted were huge but we were only huge to Busted fans. So being in a band like that, you can kind of live a normal life as long as you don’t go to a bowling alley, or a shopping centre on a Saturday. These kind of rules, you can be okay.

"Suddenly, I came out and every taxi I got in, or every corner shop I went in, everyone was going ‘Hello Matt!’. I didn’t deal with it very well and I never wanted to recreate that.

"Luckily, it only lasted about 6 months, and then Strictly was out or whatever and no one gives a sh*t anymore. It was quite intense so I didn’t think I wanted to do that again.

"And I think the fact I want to be an actor, I don’t want to hinder that. I don’t think it would be the right move for me right now."

Matt is currently starring in the hit West End play 2:22: A Ghost Story alongside former Love Island presenter Laura Whitmore.

The play follows the story of Jenny (Whitmore), a new mum who is convinced her new house is haunted, but her husband Sam (Felix Scott) isn't so convinced.

They invite over old friend Lauren (Tamsin Carroll) and her new partner Ben (Willis), and they all decide to stay up to 2:22 and find out exactly what's going on.

Calling it his "most rewarding role" he said: "I got the call, and instantly I said yes. I was just stoked to get the audition, it wasn’t a purposeful decision to move away from musical theatre. I’ve always wanted to do a play but I’ve always been doing different things."

2:22: A Ghost Story is playing at London's Criterion Theatre until January 8, 2023, then at the Lyric Theatre with a new cast, including Cheryl, from January 21. Tickets are available here.