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Matt hooked on cannabis at 13
01.02.07|The Sun Newspaper online - the best for news, sport and showbiz

MATT WILLIS has revealed he was off his head on dope in his BUSTED years – and that he got hooked on weed at THIRTEEN.

The I’m A Celebrity winner has confessed he was a slave to the drug until two years ago, when MTV presenter girlfriend EMMA GRIFFITHS forced him to get clean.

After the pop punks split up in January 2005, “Beer Matt” checked into rehab clinic The Priory, with everyone assuming it was just for his heavy boozing.

After all, he had just won my Caner Of The Year title for his 2004 antics.

But now he has admitted the Priory stay was also to conquer a chronic dependency on marijuana, which he had been smoking for eight years.

He also says he only quit the herb after Emma threatened to leave him.

The King Of The Jungle explained: “I used to be hooked on weed. I began when I was 13 and by the time Busted made it big I was accustomed to it.

“I smoked it every single day. It was a way of life.

“You become immune to its effects, or at least you think you do, when suddenly you find yourself turning a bit weird.

“If I smoked, I’d become paranoid and forget everything.

“My memory was shot to pieces. I had no confidence. I always felt I was bad with people, but it was because I was always stoned.

“It was New Year 2005 when I gave up. Me and Emma were making New Year’s resolutions and she told me if I had another joint she would leave me. I realised I needed to do something and when she threatened to never speak to me again I took action. The Priory did nothing for me. I hated it.

“I left after two weeks. You’re supposed to be there for a month but I’d had enough.

“Emma was the one who helped me kick my addiction and I will be forever grateful.

“It has made me appreciate things so much more now I’m off the drugs.”

It makes you wonder how many things go on that we don’t know about.

No-one had a clue Matt was a stoner when he was up on stage every night.

I’m glad he saw sense and kicked his habit.