Musician Matt Willis, best known as the co-founder of the pop band Busted, is stepping into a new role that’s both personal and public. On October 20, 2025, the BBC announced a new three-part documentary series, Matt Willis: The Recovery Project, fronted by Willis himself. The project, a collaboration between BBC Factual Entertainment and Events, BBC Cymru Wales, and production company South Shore, aims to explore addiction and recovery in south Wales—a region grappling with some of the highest rates of drug and alcohol-related deaths in the country.
Willis, who has spoken candidly about his own decade-long struggle with addiction, is using his platform to shine a light on the challenges and stigma that surround recovery in the UK. The series follows him as he develops a bold new pilot scheme designed to help people in recovery rebuild their lives, not just through treatment, but by finding meaningful employment and support within their communities.
“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,” Willis told the BBC. “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.”
The premise of the series is straightforward yet ambitious: Willis will travel across south Wales, visiting communities hit hardest by substance misuse. According to BBC sources, England and Wales are currently battling record levels of drug-related deaths, with certain Welsh towns facing especially grim statistics. The documentary will see Willis meeting with experts in recovery, as well as partnering with substance use charities already embedded in these communities. The goal? To explore how employment, a sense of purpose, and community support can play a vital role in helping people reclaim their lives after addiction.
For Willis, this isn’t just a television project—it’s a mission informed by his own journey. The musician has been open about his struggles with drugs and alcohol, his trips to rehab, and the difficult road to sobriety. His willingness to speak about relapse and the reality of recovery brings a rare authenticity to the project. “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,” said Catherine Catton, Head of Commissioning for BBC Factual Entertainment and Events. “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 documentary is not just about the individuals struggling with addiction, but also about the communities rallying to support them. Willis will be seen working hand-in-hand with local charities and recovery experts, exploring models of support that prioritize employment and community engagement as critical tools for rehabilitation. This approach is informed by growing evidence that stable work and social connection are powerful predictors of long-term recovery success.
Nick Andrews, Head of Commissioning for BBC Cymru Wales, underscored the groundbreaking nature of the series. “This is set to be another groundbreaking series from the brilliant team behind Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams. Matt Willis’ fierce passion to tackle some of the big issues caused by addiction is the driving force behind this ambitious project, and we’re looking forward to documenting his journey every step of the way.”
Sam Grace, Head of South Shore Wales, echoed the importance of telling a story rooted in Wales but resonant across the UK. “This is a great opportunity for the team here at South Shore Wales to tell a really important Welsh story that will resonate across the UK. We’re really excited to be working with the BBC on a series that will see Matt challenge perceptions on addiction and show how a town in Wales can support those most in need.”
Stigma remains a major barrier for those seeking help for addiction in the UK. Willis himself has described the difficulty of publicly acknowledging his struggles. “I know what it’s like going to rehab. I know what it’s like to relapse and I know what it’s like to be given a second chance,” he said, emphasizing the need for society to rethink its attitudes toward addiction and recovery. By sharing his own experiences, Willis hopes to spark a broader conversation about how the UK can better support those on the road to recovery and challenge the negative labels that often accompany addiction.
The series also aims to highlight innovative pilot schemes that could serve as blueprints for other communities. By focusing on employment and community support as key pillars of recovery, the project hopes to demonstrate practical ways to help people in recovery reintegrate into society. The hope is that the lessons learned in south Wales could eventually be applied more widely across the UK, offering a new model for tackling the complex issue of addiction.
Willis’s journey is likely to resonate with viewers far beyond Wales. His openness about his own struggles—and his determination to use his experiences to help others—gives the series a raw honesty that’s often missing from discussions about addiction. The BBC’s involvement ensures the project will reach a wide audience, bringing much-needed attention to an issue that affects families and communities across the country.
As the documentary unfolds, viewers can expect to see not just the challenges, but also the hope and resilience of those fighting for a second chance. Willis’s story, and the stories of those he meets along the way, promise to bring a fresh perspective to the national conversation about addiction and recovery.
By focusing on real people, real challenges, and real solutions, Matt Willis: The Recovery Project aims to leave a lasting impact—not just on the individuals featured, but on the way the UK thinks about and supports recovery. It’s a project that’s as much about changing minds as it is about changing lives.
The series is set to air soon, and with Willis at the helm, it’s sure to spark the kind of bold, necessary conversations that could help shape the future of addiction recovery in the UK.