Busted now after 20 years - drug addiction battle, rival bands and reunion

10 December 2023 , 08:00

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James Bourne, Charlie Simpson and Matt Willis formed boy band Busted in 2002 (Image: PA)

Busted fans were heartbroken when the band announced their shocking split in 2005 - but thankfully it wasn't the end for the trio.

James Bourne, Charlie Simpson and Matt Willis rose to fame with their debut song What I Go To School For in 2002 and bagged their first number one with Year 3000 soon after. But despite their huge success, the boyband split a few years later and went their separate ways.

Then in March 2023, they announced they were officially back together with a 20th anniversary tour - but what happened during their 18 years apart? All three band members had ups and downs, from suffering mental health breakdowns and rehab stints to finding fame in the West End and forming McBusted.

James Bourne

James dated YouTuber Emily Canham for four years before they split this year (Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)

James has written songs for many other famous faces including Mel B (Splash News)

Chief songwriter James moved to New York after the band split in 2005 and started a new pop rock band named Son Of Dork. The group had a couple of singles in the top 10 before they all went separate ways to pursue other projects. James turned their debut album into a West End musical in 2012, called Loserville: The Musical. In 2013, James and Matt announced they were joining McFly to form McBusted and went on a sell-out tour for two years.

Over the years, James has written for other artists including The Saturdays, The Vamps and 5 Seconds of Summer. He was in a relationship with YouTuber Emily Canham for four years, though they kept a relatively low profile during their relationship, before splitting in November 2023. A source told The Sun: "James and Emily have called it quits and are each happily moving on with their lives. James has been non-stop with the tour and managing his time between the UK and his place in LA."

The Masked Singer fans battle out Rhino theories in split between two popstars

Matt Willis

Emma Willis has stuck by husband Matt as he's battled drink and drug addictions over the years (PA)

Matt won I'm A Celeb in 2006 and found success performing in musicals on the West End (Getty Images)

Matt has struggled with booze and drug addictions for most of his adult life and has been to rehab three times. Earlier this year, he spoke about his battles on BBC documentary, Matt Willis: Fighting Addiction, and praised his wife, The Voice presenter Emma Willis, for standing by him. "I dread to imagine where I'd be without her," he said, adding that he put her "through hell". The couple share three children and Matt credits fatherhood for helping him to become sober.

The TV star previously revealed that he became 'fully invested' in The Church of Scientology, a religion followed by several US stars including Tom Cruise and John Travolta, before he eventually cut ties. In 2006, Matt won I'm A Celebrity and went on to pursue a successful career in the West End, making his debut in Flashdance: The Musical in 2010. He has also appeared in Footloose, Wicked, Little Shop of Horrors, Waitress and 2:22 A Ghost Story.

Charlie Simpson

Charlie won The Masked Singer 2023 dressed as the Rhino and said he was 'terrified the entire time'

Charlie was the one to break up the band in 2005, when he decided to quit Busted and focus on his rock band, Fightstar. The group has continued to perform and he's since set up his own record label. In 2014, Charlie married his wife Anna Barnard and they had two sons. Last year, the couple suffered a scare when their youngest son, Jago, was rushed to hospital after 'secondary drowning' while on holiday abroad. "He spent the next three days in hospital and I'm so thankful for the amazing care he received. It was the worst thing we have ever experienced," Charlie said.

Earlier this year, the singer returned to TV and won The Masked Singer, dressed as the Rhino. "I was terrified the entire time. The thing I was scared most of was remembering lyrics. I often forget lyrics to my own songs on stage!" he said. Shortly after, Busted announced they were reuniting and touring the UK to celebrate their 20th anniversary. In summer 2024, the group will tour again.

Nia Dalton