In an exclusive revelation, Tom Read Wilson from Celebs Go Dating has confirmed he is the latest star to be parachuted into the I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! jungle, openly admitting he is 'terrified' of the challenge ahead.
Jungle Fears and Missing the Bubbly
The 39-year-old, known for his ultra-posh demeanour on E4's dating show, confessed that one of the biggest hardships he anticipates is the jungle's strict ban on alcohol. A self-professed champagne enthusiast, Wilson detailed his usual routine, stating he typically reserves the 'naughty tipple' for weekends. He quipped that his time in the Australian outback will therefore feel like a 'very, very long week' without his customary Friday coupe.
Beyond the lack of luxury, the star did not shy away from expressing his deep-seated anxiety. 'I shan't sugar the pill. I am terrified,' he confessed. 'I do not think I have ever been quite so frightened.' However, he believes his fear is often worse in anticipation than in reality, swelling in his mind before an event begins.
Bonding Over Words and Wisdom
When he enters the camp on Thursday alongside Vogue Williams, Wilson is particularly looking forward to meeting rapper Aitch. He revealed a profound admiration for the Mancunian artist's way with words, comparing it to his love for Shakespeare. 'I know that he is very bendy with words, which I adore,' Tom said, explaining his fascination with new linguistic coinings. 'I love new coinings... and he has got that in spades. I also really think of rap as modern poetry. I wish I could do it.'
He firmly believes that a shared passion for the arts can bridge any gap between campmates, no matter their background. This philosophy extends to another jungle inhabitant he's starstruck to meet: comedy legend Ruby Wax. A devoted fan of Absolutely Fabulous, which Wax helped write, Tom is both excited and nervous about the encounter, hoping he can handle his fandom better than in past experiences.
Preparation and Perspective
To mentally prepare for the ordeal, Wilson received some sage advice from an unexpected source: a philosopher driver named Abdi. After expressing his anxieties during a car journey, Abdi offered a powerful analogy about climbing a giant tree, suggesting that the task seems daunting only until you find your first foothold. This conversation, Tom said, brilliantly contextualised his fear and gave him a new perspective.
Physically, he is leaning on advice from close friend and former jungle contestant Roman Kemp. Kemp warned him to wean himself off coffee at least five days before entering to avoid the brutal caffeine crash and headaches. Tom has also been unknowingly preparing for meagre rations through his years of intermittent fasting, which means he doesn't typically feel hungry until 2pm.
Despite the fears and deprivations, Tom hopes to bring a fresh 'warm zephyr' of energy to the camp, acknowledging that the existing celebrities will have already endured significant hardship. The biggest personal wrench, he admits, will be being separated from the 'small people' in his life—his five godkids and three nephews, whom he speaks to and sees regularly.
