Tom Read Wilson has become a standout star on the latest series of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, captivating audiences with his eloquent and extensive vocabulary. However, this is not the first time the public has witnessed his unique charm and theatrical delivery.
The Voice UK Audition: A Look Back
Long before his stint in the Australian jungle, a 28-year-old Tom Read Wilson was a relative unknown trying to make his mark on the music industry. In 2016, he appeared as a contestant on the fifth series of the talent show The Voice UK.
His distinctive personality was immediately apparent during his introduction to judges will.i.am, Ricky Wilson, Boy George, and Paloma Faith. He described himself to the camera as 'gregarious, irreverent, fun, a little bit naughty, and rather chaotic'. He further elaborated, 'I'd definitely describe myself as from another era. I'm a desperate romantic; I feel that when I meet somebody, I want a tsunami of warmth, and then the same back.'
Calling himself a 'thespian' and a 'cultural throwback', Wilson, who studied musical theatre at the Royal Academy of Music, discussed his plummy accent with host Marvin Humes. He told the judges he was like a 'coiled spring' when performing and acknowledged being a 'bit of an oddity', hoping to be a 'nice surprise'.
The Performance and Its Outcome
For his audition, Wilson performed a cabaret-style version of the classic song 'Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive'. Despite his confident introduction and stage presence, his singing failed to impress the panel. Not a single judge turned their chair for his performance.
Reflecting on the experience afterwards, the soon-to-be TV personality remained positive. He said he 'loved being onstage' and that it felt like 'surfing the crest of a great wave'. Wilson added, 'It was wonderful. Regardless of the outcome, I just had so much fun. I couldn't change it for anything.'
From Setback to Jungle Success
Now, a decade later, it is precisely that vocabulary and eccentric charm that failed to win over The Voice judges which has earned him a new legion of fans on I'm A Celebrity. His elaborate way of speaking has become a talking point among viewers and his celebrity campmates alike.
The conversation around his voice intensified when he surprised everyone by adopting a thick Cockney accent around the campfire, joking that maintaining his usual posh voice was 'exhausting'. This left viewers questioning what his real voice sounds like.
Settling the debate, his Celebs Go Dating co-star Anna Williamson confirmed that the eloquent, plummy voice he uses on TV is authentic. She told The Sun, 'I can confirm Tom does speak how Tom speaks, as in his normal voice.' She praised his representation on the ITV show, describing him as 'hugely likeable' and accurately portrayed.
