The real Tom Read Wilson, beyond his current I'm A Celebrity appearance, has been beautifully unveiled through an emotional tribute from his childhood friend of 34 years, Charlie Collins.
In a remarkably detailed Instagram post shared on Thursday, Collins painted a picture of the television personality as a genuinely compassionate individual who's always ready to help others, contrasting with his sophisticated jungle persona that has captivated viewers.
A Friendship Spanning Decades
Collins revealed she first met Tom when they were both just four years old, forming an instant bond that has lasted through 34 years of friendship. She humorously noted that she was his first kiss and fears she 'put him off girls for life', given that Tom is openly gay.
The childhood friends frequently performed together in school plays, with Collins remembering Tom as 'more sparkly and effervescent than anyone' and absolutely born for the stage. While she and Tom's sister Miranda played together, Tom would be 'scaling octaves in his room, priming those vocal cords for all his performances'.
The Compassionate Reality Behind the Celebrity
Beyond the theatricality, Collins emphasised Tom's unwavering willingness to help others. Tom Read Wilson consistently said yes to supporting his friend's endeavours, whether performing Christmas songs at a consignment store where she worked, reading to children at her sister's school, celebrating her book launch, or serenading guests at her 2022 wedding with a hilarious poem.
She described him as someone who 'always there when you need him', noting how he sent copies of his children's books to her family, with her nearly five-year-old son Ivo pouring over them enthusiastically.
Collins also highlighted Tom's dedication to family, describing how he 'frequently takes my mum and his mum out for champagne lunches, spoiling them both and filling up their cups with his hilarious stories and magical company'. She concluded that Tom was 'born to make others smile' and represents 'the sunshine and the spoonful of sugar we all need' in a world full of scary things.
Jungle Presence and Family Background
During his time in the jungle, the Celebs Go Dating star has demonstrated that his distinctive voice and extensive vocabulary are genuine attributes, not put on for television. When questioned by fellow campmate Aitch about his 'lingo', Tom attributed it to his 'wonderful dad', who was an English teacher and made language into stories.
However, the background to his parents' relationship has drawn attention. Tom's father, Crispin Read Wilson, was 34 when he began a relationship with his 18-year-old pupil, Juliette Cheeseman, who would become Tom's mother. Tom previously explained on 8 Out Of 10 Cats that his maternal grandfather taught at the same school, and sometimes 'the eldest girls of the faculty would date the youngest teachers'.
His parents have since separated, and his father has remarried, though Tom remains close to both parents. Earlier this week, Tom's mother commented on his distinctive voice upon arriving in Australia, telling the Daily Mail: 'He's very articulate. He was born with a dictionary in his mouth.'
Collins ended her tribute by celebrating Tom's jungle antics, writing: 'Watching you sing snakes into serene states, recite sonnets to your camp members in the bathing pond like some magical water-dwelling merman and generally dazzle everyone with your unique light has been mesmerising. You are the yolk to our egg Tom!'
