Busted's Matt Willis claims Church of Scientology tried to break up his marriage to Emma Willis
Busted star Matt Willis has claimed the Church of Scientology tried to break up his marriage to wife Emma Willis.
The 37-year-old Crashed The Wedding singer — who won I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in 2006 — has been with the Voice presenter, 45, since 2005, and they have three children together.
But Matt told The Sun he was approached by Scientologists when he left rehab after being treated for substance abuse in 2008, and became "fully invested" in their organisation.
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He explained: “I was fresh out of rehab, a bit lost in the world. I was walking down Tottenham Court Road and I got approached by a guy who asked me a few simple questions. Before I knew it, the next week I arrived at the doors to the Scientology building."
He adds that he began returning to the centre every day, buying books and taking courses.
Actor and TV presenter Matt revealed it was only when the Scientologists tried to isolate him from the people he loved that he became wary.
He said: "They buddied me up with a young guy who was very, very involved. We did some one-to-one work, all questions about my life: 'What’s going on, what’s holding me back and holding my potential back?'
“They were like, ‘There’s someone in your life who’s actually draining you, who’s a negative force, and it’s normally the person closest to you.’ And it’s like, ‘I think they’re trying to split my f***ing marriage up now’."
Matt admitted he spent hundreds of pounds on courses and books during his time dabbling in Scientology and that for months after he cut ties with the church they would still send him messages,
The Year 3000 singer believes he was more vulnerable after leaving rehab as he was frightened of returning to his old way of life.
He claims the Scientologists "tested" him using a machine and told him they could help him not to take drugs.
Matt described himself as “an idiot who got hoodwinked by some guy with a fairground trick”.
The Church of Scientology was founded by L Ron Hubbard in America in 1950. Followers believe that certain humans on Earth can live forever as they have the spirit of aliens, called Thetans, living inside their body.
Read more: Jason Lee reveals he left the Church of Scientology
The church is funded by members who are believed to have donated millions of pounds to the organisation and it is known to recruit celebrities.
Famous Scientologists include Hollywood actors Tom Cruise, John Travolta, The Handmaid’s Tale star Elisabeth Moss, Cheers star Kirstie Alley and Nancy Cartwright, the voice of Bart Simpson.
Yahoo has contacted the Church of Scientology for a response.
Matt married The Circle presenter Emma in 2008 and they are parents to 11-year-old daughter Isabelle, nine-year-old son Ace and four-year-old daughter Trixie.
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