Tom Read Wilson Finally Tells His Story: “It Was A Constant Barrage Of Verbal Abuse”
6/2/20261 hr 42 min
Tom Read Wilson reflects on life after I’m A Celebrity and the private story behind the voice, warmth and eccentricity that made the nation fall in love with him. He opens up about growing up feeling othered, the secret that once felt like a ticking time bomb, and the anxiety that affected his relationship with food for many years. Tom also reflects on coming out, the sister who became his safe place, and why the jungle helped him lose his ego and feel truly seen. In a conversation shaped by nearly nine years of friendship, Paul and Tom look back on Celebs Go Dating, the moments that brought them close, and the bond that has quietly become one of the most important relationships in both of their lives. Funny, tender and unexpected, this is Tom Read Wilson on queerness, friendship, family, self-acceptance and learning to celebrate the parts of yourself the world once made you question. Tom Read Wilson, We Need To Talk A heads up this conversation includes discussion of mental health and eating disorders. We’ve included links to support resources below: CALM: https://linkly.link/2dx8H MIND: https://linkly.link/2dx8b Follow us here: https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod Sign up to our newsletter https://linkly.link/2eXHX Follow Tom here: https://www.instagram.com/tomreadwilson (00:00) Intro (05:55) Tom’s Upbringing (07:25) Becoming Aware of Prejudice (08:51) Tom’s Identity in His Teens (16:18) How Tom Came Out (18:31) Paul Shows Tom a Photo of Him and His Siblings (23:46) Tom’s Struggle With Eating (30:43) Tom’s Career as an Actor (34:51) Tom Appearance on The Voice (40:57) Accusations About Tom’s Voice (45:51) Cast on Celebs Go Dating (48:41) Which Celebrities Stood Out to Tom on CGD? (51:08) Paul Shows Tom a Photo of Him and Gemma Collins (53:21) Paul’s Appreciation For Tom (55:57) Tom on His Romantic Life (58:00) Tom Has Made Paul Officially ‘Naughty’ (01:01:11) Why Tom Went on I’m a Celebrity (01:02:59) What Is the Environment Really Like on I’m a Celebrity? (01:04:33) What Tom Loved Most About I’m a Celebrity (01:08:46) Who Did Tom Get on With Most on I’m a Celebrity? (01:17:06) Tom’s Final Bushtucker Trial (01:23:18) Surprise Letter From Campmate Ruby Wax (01:26:20) Tom’s Relationship With Paul’s Family (01:28:11) Tom’s Talent for Accents (01:37:26) Paul’s Takeaways Sponsored by: iD Mobile: Ditch the texts and ‘Make it a Call’ - your voice is more powerful than you thinkhttps://www.idmobile.co.uk/make-it-a-call?affiliate=marketing%7CYouTube_Display%7CMakeItACall_Brand&utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Display&utm_campaign=MakeItACall&utm_content=Brand Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsTom Read Wilson· Guest0:00
I fell in love with you then, and I think I did have a crush for a while. But actually, everything shifted for me because I am sort of rubbing along so happily as a single person.
Paul C. Brunson· Host0:11
Tom Reed Wilson.
Tom Read Wilson· Guest0:13
Electrifying.
Paul C. Brunson· Host0:15
The number one question about you was, "Is, is he acting? Is he for real?"
Tom Read Wilson· Guest0:20
Believe it or not, little Tom was much the same as big Tom, and there was a lot of bullying. But what that makes you do is you think, "Well, the only way I can survive is to celebrate it."
Paul C. Brunson· Host0:31
I want to show you a photo.
Tom Read Wilson· Guest0:32
I've seen this for a very long time. Goodness knows where you laid your mitts on it.
Paul C. Brunson· Host0:36
I did not know there was a challenge with you eating during that time.
Tom Read Wilson· Guest0:40
I was just so tightly wound. I'd just sit down to eat, and I'd realize that my body wasn't gonna let me do it. But I secretly auditioned for The Voice, and it was a direct consequence of that, that Celebs Go Dating came along, and then the Jungle.
Paul C. Brunson· Host0:55
I've noticed it with Celebs Go Dating. We can just empty our souls to each other. Um- Empty our souls. Empty our souls.
Tom Read Wilson· Guest1:02
Empty our souls.
Paul C. Brunson· Host1:04
[laughs] It's time for you to leave already. You know, it's, [laughs] what time is it? But can I talk about my biggest gripe with Celebs Go Dating?
Tom Read Wilson· Guest1:11
Eh, do.
Paul C. Brunson· Host1:11
My biggest gripe is- Oh, my goodness me. Hey there. Before we begin the episode, I just want to say thank you for choosing We Need To Talk. Doing this podcast is one of the greatest joys of my life, and I want to continue to share it with you.