Tom Read Wilson’s true character outside of I’m A Celebrity has been revealed by his childhood friend in a very lengthy post shared on Instagram on Thursday

Tom Read Wilson’s true character outside of I’m A Celebrity has been revealed in an emotional and deeply personal tribute from his childhood friend — offering fans a rare glimpse into the man behind the velvet voice.

A completely different side of Tom Read Wilson — one that viewers rarely see inside the jungle — has now been laid bare by someone who has known him for almost his entire life: his childhood friend of 34 years, Charlie Collins.

Tom’s pal of 34 years, Charlie Collins (pictured), has spoken about his compassionate nature and said he loves ot help others

The Celebs Go Dating favourite, now 39, entered the jungle as a late arrival alongside Vogue Williams and quickly became one of this year’s most talked-about contestants thanks to his velvety accent, theatrical charm and poetic vocabulary. But according to Charlie, the real Tom has always been far more than a witty performer on screen.

She explained that when Tom was not singing around the home, he was always on side to say yes to helping people day to day

In a long, emotional Instagram post shared on Thursday, Charlie painted a vivid picture of a man defined not by theatrics, but by tenderness, kindness and an instinctive desire to help others.

Charlie revealed she first met Tom when she was just four years old, after their mothers became close friends — and from that moment on, their lives became tightly woven together.

Tom was my first kiss,” she joked. “I still tease him that I might be the reason he never looked twice at girls ever again.”

She fondly remembered the early signs of his future on stage — from school plays where his voice soared above everyone else, to afternoons when he would shut himself in his bedroom practising scales while she and Tom’s sister, Miranda, played outside.

But beyond the sparkle and the sound of his voice, Charlie revealed it is the quiet acts of kindness that truly define him:

• He sings Christmas songs in tiny shops just to make the staff smile
• He reads stories at her sister’s school because “stories matter”
• He writes wedding poems so funny and moving they leave entire rooms in tears
• He takes his mum and Charlie’s mum out for champagne lunches simply to bring them joy

“Tom makes everyone feel like they’re the only person in the room,” she wrote. “He is the warm, glowing centre that holds everything — and everyone — together.”

She also opened up about how deeply devoted Tom is to his family, especially to his mother, Juliette, and how effortlessly he brings warmth into every space he enters.

For Charlie, watching Tom soothe his campmates in the jungle and charm millions of viewers at home feels like watching “the purest parts of childhood shine through an adult body.”

Her tribute ended with one simple but powerful declaration:
“Tom for the win.”

Tom’s presence in the jungle has already fascinated viewers, many of whom questioned whether his refined voice was an affectation. But he has repeatedly proven that his eloquence is entirely real — the lifelong influence of his father, an English teacher who turned words into stories.

When campmate Aitch asked about his extraordinary vocabulary, Tom explained:
“My wonderful dad gave me the love of language. I’m not a poet, but I love the lyricism of it all.”

What Tom has spoken about less publicly is the more complex chapter of his family story — including how his parents first met.

On 8 Out of 10 Cats in 2024, Tom revealed that his father, Crispin Read Wilson, was a teacher at the school where his mother, Juliette, was a pupil.
“She was 18, coming of age,” Tom said at the time, noting their 16-year age gap. “I never really thought about it.”

His parents later separated, and his father remarried — but Tom has remained close to both of them.

“My mum is a French teacher with a fiery, mischievous spirit,” he once said. “And I adore her.”

Earlier this week, Juliette herself spoke affectionately about her son’s distinctive voice as she arrived in Australia to support him.
“He was born with a dictionary in his mouth,” she joked. “Sometimes I don’t even understand what he’s saying! But he’s always been that way.”

As viewers fall deeper in love with Tom’s charm, Charlie’s emotional tribute has given them something even more powerful — a window into the gentle soul beneath the sparkle.

Fans say the message has completely changed the way they see this season’s breakout star — proving that Tom isn’t simply a character created for television, but very much the true heart of this year’s series.