Emma Willis is an English television presenter, broadcaster and former model best known for presenting Big Brother, Celebrity Big Brother, The Voice UK, The Voice Kids and The Circle. She has become one of Britain’s most recognizable television hosts, known for combining live television presenting with reality, entertainment and talent shows.
Born and raised in Birmingham, Willis began her career as a model before moving into television presenting. Her breakthrough came after she joined MTV in 2002, where she began building experience as a presenter before moving to major British entertainment programmes.
Willis is also known for her marriage to musician Matt Willis, the Busted singer and former I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! contestant. Together they have three children and have also worked together professionally, including presenting Love Is Blind UK. In 2026, Willis entered another major phase of her broadcasting career when she became one of the new hosts of Strictly Come Dancing.
Emma Willis Profile Summary
| Profile | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Emma Louise Willis |
| Date of Birth | March 18, 1976 |
| Age | 50 years old |
| Birthplace | Birmingham, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Profession | Television presenter, broadcaster and former model |
| Education | John Willmott School |
| Husband | Matt Willis |
| Marriage | 2008 |
| Children | Three |
| Known For | Big Brother, The Voice UK, The Voice Kids, The Circle, Strictly Come Dancing |
| Former Career | Model |
| Television Debut | MTV, 2002 |
| Current Role | Strictly Come Dancing presenter |
| Net Worth | Not publicly verified |
Emma Willis Early Life
Emma Louise Willis was born on March 18, 1976, in Birmingham, England. She grew up in Birmingham and attended John Willmott School in Sutton Coldfield. Her early life was not initially focused on television, and she entered the entertainment industry through modelling.
As a teenager, Willis began developing an interest in fashion and entertainment. She eventually pursued modelling professionally and worked internationally, including in locations such as Paris, New York and Tokyo. The experience introduced her to the wider entertainment industry and gave her opportunities to work around television and media personalities.
Her modelling career eventually led her toward presenting. Rather than remaining behind the scenes in fashion, Willis began looking for opportunities that would allow her to communicate directly with audiences. This transition eventually became the foundation of her long-running broadcasting career.
Emma Willis Education
Willis attended John Willmott School in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham. Her education took place before she entered the modelling industry and subsequently moved into television.
Unlike many television presenters who begin their careers through journalism or broadcasting degrees, Willis developed her presenting skills primarily through practical experience.
Her early work in modelling gave her experience in front of cameras and in dealing with media professionals. When she later began presenting for MTV, she was able to build on that experience and develop the interviewing and live television skills that would become central to her career.
Emma Willis Career
Modelling Career
Before becoming a television presenter, Emma Willis worked as a professional model. She secured modelling work in several international fashion markets and spent time in cities including Paris, New York and Tokyo.
Her modelling career gave her early exposure to major entertainment and fashion industries. It also helped her become comfortable working in front of cameras and in highly public environments.
Although modelling was an important first step, Willis eventually moved toward television because she wanted a more active role in entertainment. Her transition from model to presenter became one of the defining features of her professional career.
MTV
Willis began her television presenting career with MTV in 2002. The role gave her an opportunity to develop her skills in music television and interviewing.
Working for MTV placed her in an environment involving musicians, celebrities and live entertainment. She gained experience introducing programmes, interviewing public figures and communicating with younger audiences.
The position was an important stepping stone toward the larger television roles that followed.
Big Brother
Willis became particularly associated with the Big Brother franchise. She first joined the programme’s wider television universe in 2005 through Big Brother’s Big Mouth.
She later became the presenter of Celebrity Big Brother’s Bit on the Side, hosting eight series of the programme. She also presented four series of Big Brother’s Bit on the Side before becoming the main presenter of Big Brother and Celebrity Big Brother on Channel 5.
From 2013 to 2018, she became one of the principal faces of the franchise. Her live interviews with contestants, eviction-night coverage and reunion segments helped establish her as one of Britain’s leading reality television presenters.
Her work on Big Brother also demonstrated her ability to handle unpredictable live television, a skill that became valuable in later presenting roles.
The Voice UK
One of Willis’s most important presenting roles came with The Voice UK. She became associated with the programme after it moved from the BBC to ITV in 2017.
She also presented The Voice Kids, helping to establish herself as a major presenter within British talent television.
The role required her to handle live performances, backstage interviews, contestant reactions and interaction with celebrity judges. It also allowed her to work across several seasons of a major entertainment franchise.
Other Television Work
Willis has appeared on and presented numerous other British programmes. Her television credits include Loose Women, This Morning, The Circle and the ITV2 programme I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! NOW!.
She has also hosted special events and entertainment programmes, building a career that extends beyond one particular television franchise.
Her presenting style has generally combined warmth with an ability to manage live television and high-pressure interviews. This has allowed her to move between reality television, daytime programming and major entertainment competitions.
Working With Matt Willis
Emma Willis has also worked professionally with her husband, Matt Willis. The pair jointly presented I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! NOW! and have appeared together in various television projects.
Their professional partnership became particularly prominent when they were announced as hosts of Netflix’s Love Is Blind UK. The programme brought together their individual television experience and their personal relationship.
The couple’s shared work has made them one of the better-known husband-and-wife presenting partnerships in British television.
Strictly Come Dancing
In May 2026, the BBC announced Emma Willis as one of the new hosts of Strictly Come Dancing, alongside comedian Josh Widdicombe and professional dancer Johannes Radebe. The trio replaced longtime presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman for the 2026 series.
The appointment represented one of the biggest roles of Willis’s broadcasting career. Strictly Come Dancing is one of Britain’s longest-running and most recognizable entertainment programmes, and the 2026 series marked a major change in its presenting team.
The new series launched in September 2026. Willis has described herself as a major fan of the programme and has spoken positively about working with her new co-hosts.
Strictly Come Dancing in 2026
Willis’s first series as a Strictly Come Dancing host began in September 2026. The new presenting team introduced several changes to the show’s format, including a different approach to the launch programme.
One of the changes involved the celebrity contestants meeting their professional partners through a group dance and partner-rotation format. Willis was among the presenters explaining and guiding viewers through the new structure.
Her appointment has generated considerable attention because she is taking over one of the most prominent presenting positions in British television after years of success with Big Brother and The Voice UK.
Emma Willis Trending: Why Is Emma Willis Famous?
Emma Willis is trending in September 2026 because she has become one of the new presenters of Strictly Come Dancing. The 2026 series is the show’s first season without longtime hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, making Willis part of a significant change in the programme’s television history.
Willis is already familiar to British audiences through her years presenting Big Brother, Celebrity Big Brother, The Voice UK, The Voice Kids and The Circle. Her appointment therefore represents a continuation of a long television career rather than a first appearance on mainstream television.
She is also attracting attention because of her work with her husband Matt Willis. The couple currently present Love Is Blind UK together and have previously worked together on other television projects.
Emma Willis Personal Life
Emma Willis married musician Matt Willis in 2008. Matt is best known as a member of the British pop-rock band Busted and later McBusted. The couple have been together for many years and frequently discuss their family life and relationship publicly.
They have three children. Their eldest daughter is Isabelle, followed by daughter Ace and son Trixie. The family has generally maintained a relatively private life despite both parents having high-profile careers.
Willis has also spoken publicly about balancing television work with motherhood and family responsibilities. Her relationship with Matt has become part of her public profile, particularly because the couple have worked together on television as well as raising their family.
Emma Willis Age, Religion, Nationality, Height and Physical Appearance
Emma Willis was born on March 18, 1976, making her 50 years old in 2026. She was born and raised in Birmingham, England, and is British.
Willis’s religious beliefs are not prominently documented in reliable public sources, so a specific religious affiliation should not be assumed.
Her height is commonly reported at around 5 feet 7 inches, although exact measurements vary across entertainment sources. She has maintained a prominent fashion and television presence since her modelling career and is frequently recognized for her polished presenting style.
Emma Willis Net Worth
Emma Willis’s exact net worth has not been publicly verified. Her income has been built over more than two decades of work in modelling, television presenting and entertainment.
Her major presenting roles have included Big Brother, The Voice UK, The Voice Kids, The Circle, Love Is Blind UK and Strictly Come Dancing. These long-running programmes have established her as one of the UK’s most experienced entertainment presenters.
Various celebrity websites publish estimates of Willis’s wealth, but such figures are not supported by detailed public financial records. Her actual assets, investments and total career earnings have not been publicly disclosed, so an exact net worth should not be treated as established fact.
Emma Willis Legacy
Emma Willis has built a long-lasting career in British television by successfully moving from modelling into presenting and then establishing herself across several major entertainment franchises. Her work on Big Brother and The Voice UK made her a familiar face to millions of viewers.
Her career is also notable for its versatility. She has presented live reality television, talent competitions, daytime programmes and international-format shows, while also working alongside her husband on television.
Her appointment as a Strictly Come Dancing host in 2026 represents another major stage in that career. After more than two decades in broadcasting, Willis remains one of Britain’s established entertainment presenters and continues to work across some of the country’s most recognizable television programmes.
Conclusion
Emma Willis is a British television presenter and former model who has built a career spanning more than two decades. After beginning in modelling and joining MTV in 2002, she became widely known through Big Brother, Celebrity Big Brother, The Voice UK, The Voice Kids and The Circle. Her marriage to Matt Willis and their three children have also formed an important part of her public life, while her joint presenting work with Matt has added another dimension to her career. In 2026, Willis took on one of her biggest roles yet as a new presenter of Strictly Come Dancing, continuing her position as one of Britain’s best-known entertainment broadcasters.
Frequently Asked Questions About Emma Willis
Who is Emma Willis?
Emma Willis is a British television presenter and former model known for hosting Big Brother, The Voice UK, The Voice Kids, The Circle and Strictly Come Dancing.
How old is Emma Willis?
Emma Willis is 50 years old in 2026. She was born on March 18, 1976.
Where is Emma Willis from?
Emma Willis was born and raised in Birmingham, England.
Who is Emma Willis’s husband?
Emma Willis’s husband is musician Matt Willis, a member of Busted and McBusted.
When did Emma Willis marry Matt Willis?
Emma Willis and Matt Willis married in 2008.
How many children does Emma Willis have?
Emma Willis and Matt Willis have three children.
What is Emma Willis famous for?
She is best known for presenting Big Brother, Celebrity Big Brother, The Voice UK, The Voice Kids, The Circle and Strictly Come Dancing.
When did Emma Willis start presenting?
Emma Willis began her television presenting career with MTV in 2002.
Is Emma Willis hosting Strictly Come Dancing?
Yes. Emma Willis became one of the new hosts of Strictly Come Dancing in 2026 alongside Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe.
Who are Emma Willis’s co-hosts on Strictly Come Dancing?
Her 2026 co-hosts are comedian Josh Widdicombe and professional dancer Johannes Radebe.
Does Emma Willis have a modelling background?
Yes. Before becoming a television presenter, Emma Willis worked as a professional model internationally.
Does Emma Willis present Love Is Blind UK?
Yes. Emma Willis presents Love Is Blind UK alongside her husband, Matt Willis.