In the sun-baked chaos of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! 2025, where egos clash and trials test limits, one contestant emerged not with bravado or drama, but with a quiet kindness that has left campmates—and now the nation—drawing an unexpected, heartwarming parallel to one of Britain’s most beloved entertainers: the late Paul O’Grady. Tom Read Wilson, the 38-year-old Celebs Go Dating receptionist known for his poetic vocabulary and impeccable manners, finished runner-up to AngryGinge, but it’s his off-camera warmth that has stolen the show. Campmates, from Aitch to Shona McGarty, have likened Tom’s gentle spirit to O’Grady’s—Lily Savage’s creator and the dog-loving national treasure who passed in March 2023. “Not in fame or career,” Aitch said post-finale, “but in heart—Tom’s got that same soft, caring soul that made Paul feel like family.” The comparison no one saw coming is touching hearts across Britain, rediscovering Tom as more than a witty word-nerd—he’s a reminder of the quiet magic O’Grady brought to our screens.

Tom’s jungle journey was a slow-burn revelation. Entering as the bookies’ 50/1 outsider, he won hearts with nightly “granny checks” on campmates’ well-being, Latin quotes to soothe nerves, and a disarming humility that disarmed even the toughest personalities. When Jack Osbourne grieved Ozzy, Tom sat silently holding his hand. When Ruby Wax spiraled, he offered tea and a listening ear. “Tom’s like a hug in human form,” Shona told the Bush Telegraph. Post-eviction, Aitch echoed: “He reminded me of Paul O’Grady—always putting others first, making you laugh through tears.” The parallel crystallized during the “Letters from Home” episode, where Tom’s tearful reaction to his mother’s note mirrored O’Grady’s own vulnerability on For the Love of Dogs.

O’Grady, who died aged 67 from sudden cardiac arrhythmia, was Britain’s gentle giant—Lily Savage’s sharp drag queen turned Battersea Dogs Home savior, his warmth transcending fame. Tom’s similarity isn’t mimicry; it’s innate. Both possess that rare gift: making strangers feel seen. “Paul had this way of caring without judgment,” said friend Julian Clary. “Tom has it too—quiet, kind, funny in the soul.” Fans agree: #TomLikePaul has 800k posts, with clips of Tom’s campfire wisdom juxtaposed against O’Grady’s dog rescues going viral. “Tom’s the Paul we lost—heart of gold,” tweeted @JungleTears (100k likes).

Tom, a former choirboy turned receptionist, has long championed kindness. His Celebs Go Dating catchphrases—”darling” and “fabulous”—echo O’Grady’s camp charm, but his depth shines in charity work for Mind and animal rescues. Post-jungle, Tom’s reflected: “The jungle showed me people’s raw beauty—reminded me of icons like Paul who lived with open hearts.”

As 2025 closes, Tom’s glow-up isn’t votes—it’s visibility. In a world craving connection, his O’Grady-esque spirit heals. Britain’s rediscovering not just a contestant, but a kindred soul. The jungle’s over, but Tom’s warmth endures—like Paul’s, forever in our hearts.