Emma Willis: Strictly Host, Family, and Heart Condition

Age: 50 (born 1976) · Husband: Matt Willis (married 2008) · Heart condition: Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) · Qualified midwife: No · Strictly co-host: Since 2026

Does Emma Willis have children?

Emma Willis and her husband Matt Willis have three children: Isabelle, Ace, and Trixie.

• Isabelle was born in 2009, when Emma was 32 (The Guardian).
• Ace was born in 2011, when Emma was 35 (The Guardian).
• Trixie was born in 2013, when Emma was 38 (The Guardian).

She was mid-run on BBC One’s The Voice when her third child arrived, which means the 2026 Strictly role arrives with a household that is now in its teenage years.

What heart condition does Emma Willis have?

Emma Willis has supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), a condition that causes a sudden rapid heart rate. She underwent a catheter ablation procedure to treat it. Anyone with SVT has to watch stress triggers – caffeine, adrenaline spikes, fatigue – and Emma’s new role places her inside the most adrenaline-heavy hour of UK television.

Why does Emma Willis have short hair?

Emma Willis has worn her hair short for years, and she has said in appearance-based interviews that the cut is a practical choice for a busy life – three children, a large dog, and a packed presenting schedule.

Is Emma Willis a fully qualified midwife?

Emma Willis is not a qualified midwife. She hosted the TV show “The Baby Club” but does not hold medical credentials.

What this means: the “fully qualified midwife” question is a misinterpretation that gained traction because of her presenting role.

How much older is Emma Willis than her husband?

Emma Willis is seven years older than Matt Willis. She was born in 1976. They married in 2008, and her age gap has been a recurring topic in media coverage because it flips the usual TV-presenter-to-musician dynamic.

For Emma, her husband’s sobriety is a private backdrop to her public role.

Where do Matt and Emma Willis live now?

They live in a family home in Hertfordshire, England.

Timeline

• 1976 – Emma Willis born
• 2004 – Emma and Matt met through a mutual introduction
• 2008 – Married Matt Willis
• 2009 – Daughter Isabelle born
• 2011 – Son Ace born
• 2013 – Daughter Trixie born
• 2026 – Announced as co-host of Strictly Come Dancing (BBC Media Centre)

Confirmed facts and what remains unclear

• Emma Willis has three children (The Guardian).
• She is 7 years older than Matt Willis (The Guardian).
• She hosts Strictly from 2026 (BBC Media Centre).

“Strictly Come Dancing 2026 features three hosts for the first time ever.” – BBC Media Centre

For viewers, the three-host Strictly format is a genuine shift, one that Emma and her co-hosts will shape. Emma replaces a long-running duo and faces inevitable comparisons while managing a well-known heart condition and a three-child household.

Related reading: Gorka Marquez: Life After Strictly, Net Worth & Family · Marvin Humes: Net Worth, Wife, Children, and Family FAQs

Frequently asked questions

How did Emma Willis and Matt Willis meet?

They met in 2004 through a mutual introduction, and married in 2008.