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From boy band proper to being crowned King of the Jungle, the good looking one from Busted has brought himself back into the spotlight in glorious style – via an all-expenses paid holiday in Australia and new solo album, Don’t Let It Go To Waste.

Matt Willis is a grounded kinda guy – well, he’d have to be, we know he doesn’t like heights – and after having turned the TV execs down many times before literally dropping into ‘I’m A Celebrity…’ he eventually agreed to do the show to see what might happen. And now what has happened is MW conquering the Bushtucker Trials, creating a new CD, doing more tours and appearances and making himself a household name. But the gracious and grounded jungle celeb doesn’t let it go to his head – even if he and his Busted band-mates have overtaken Michael Jackson for the most appearances at Wembley in one year.

A lot has happened since his early days but he’s now back, busting new moves and showing off his influences from vintage rock gods to the stars of today. in Magazine grabbed an air guitar and caught up with the new-age rocker to share his thoughts, but not to share any of that diet he was on whilst down under…

iN) Matt, how does it feel being king of the jungle?

MW) It was excellent winning, obviously, and I was genuinely surprised I won, but it hasn’t changed my life too much. I’m glad I took part though, it was a brilliant experience.

iN) Who was the best person – who did you get on with the most?

MW) I got on best with David, he was great. Even though I’d said we were all his bitches, he does need you around; he always needs people around him.

iN) Who did you think would win?

MW) We all thought David would win. It was a massive shock when he went. I think everyone watching thought David would win.

iN) What was your scariest moment? The bungee jump?

MW) There was the tightrope task I had to do, where I had to collect Mallandra, but yes the bungee jump was the one – I wasn’t up for that at all. I remember when they kept saying to me the only thing you have to fear is fear itself. Yeah right. But then I just thought ‘you’ve got to do it’.

iN) Would you do it again?

MW) Would I have done it again, after knowing what was coming? Yes. Would I do it again? No. I’d actually turned the show down a few times already; eventually I thought I’d see it for myself to have the experience. And now, of course, having won the show it’s made it all worthwhile.

iN) Moving on to the music, how did it all start with Busted? Did you know Charlie and James before?

MW) James is my best mate. We’ve known each other since we were 15. Before Busted we’d already been practising and doing bits and pieces with music, then we auditioned Charlie in and that was that. We still see and speak to each other; Charlie’s now in a band called Fightstar, and James is in Son Of Dork.

iN) Things really changed for you in a short space of time. You and McFly became two of the biggest bands around. Were you ready for all that attention?

MW) Yeah, I think so. We’ve always kept quite grounded, but it was amazing how things really took off. They [McFly] had supported us before and everyone was doing their own thing, so when things escalated it was just a brilliant time for all of us. We had absolute non-stop fun.

iN) What was your biggest gig?

MW) Wembley. Twelve times in one year. That’s a record – Michael Jackson did eight. And I think we stole the crown from Steps!

iN) What are your musical influences?

MW) It would definitely be the likes of Green Day, Van Halen, Def Leppard… I love the real classic rock stuff as well as all the new music.

iN) Do you prefer being the solo artist, or would you prefer being part of group again?

MW) I didn’t make a conscious decision to go solo, it just happened. I’d love to form another band; I just enjoy making music with other people.

iN) What are the big plans for Matt Willis?

MW) I recently did a 10-day tour around the country and have other gigs lined up, but I’m happy to go with the flow and make a success of the music. That would be the main plan.

iN) So where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time?

MW) Probably married with children. I try not to think about it too much. Two months ahead would be about the limit of where I see myself, or how much I plan in advance.

Matt Willis’s album ‘Don’t Let It Go To Waste’ is out now on Mercury Records.