Celebs Go Dating star Tom Read Wilson ‘craving’ for ‘children of my own’

He’s best known as Celebs Go Dating’s loveable receptionist, but seasoned actor, singer and author Tom Read Wilson has many more strings to his bow.

This summer he’s taking a break from welcoming love-hungry celebs into the CGD agency to star as Squidward in The SpongeBob Musical – a role he’s sharing with Pop Idol’s Gareth Gates.

Talented Tom, who studied at the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in London, is no stranger to the stage, but says he’s apprehensive about taking on such a big role after so long manning the CGD switchboard.

“For the past seven years I haven’t been able to do any stage work because of my job on Celebs Go Dating,” he tells new in his trademark eloquent tones. “It’s lovely to do a show like this after such a long break from theatre. It’s good for me to be able to challenge myself again.”

Here, the 36-year-old opens up about his own dating history, his dream of becoming a dad and why a certain former soap star would be an excellent guest on the hit dating show…

Hi Tom! You’re playing Squidward in The SpongeBob Musical – are you nervous?

I’m always nervous for the first few days. I had to dust off my 14-year-old tap shoes, so after the first day’s rehearsal I couldn’t walk properly. But this show was a huge hit on Broadway with some wonderful songs and I get to share the role with the lovely Gareth Gates, who I adore.

Gareth was runner-up on Pop Idol, while you were a contestant on The Voice in 2016. How was that?

I was a terrible flop! None of the judges turned around, but in a way it was the show’s generosity to me that resulted in me getting the job on Celebs Go Dating the same year. So I have to thank The Voice for everything it did for me.

Celebs Go Dating is still a huge hit. What’s the key to its success?

I think it’s because the whole team is passionate about the journey the celebrities are on. We get very invested in their stories and are very sincere about it all. I hope that comes across in the show.

Is it true Helen Flanagan is taking part in the next series?

Oh gosh, I’m probably the last person to know who’s going to walk through those doors. Perhaps they don’t think I can keep a secret. I usually find out a day before filming. But anyway, if it’s true, I think Helen would be a lovely guest on the show.

You’re very coy about talking about your own dating experiences…

It’s not that I’m coy, it’s more a lack of activity. I tend to find that I have a very spiky grasp on my professional life. But when I get a break I love to date – even if after three minutes of meeting you know it’s not going to lead to romance. I just love meeting people. I’m very happy in my own company, but if someone came into my life it would be a beloved addition. Most days I feel like a moist madeira sponge that doesn’t really require icing. But if there were icing, it wouldn’t go amiss. I’m so lucky I’ve got three godchildren, three nephews… but what I really crave is to have children of my own one day.

What’s your ultimate ambition?

I want to do as many things as possible. I’ve written two books and adore writing. There’s a lot of poetry in those books, so I love to tour schools because I get to recite them. So I’ll be writing more books, doing more TV – and I’m so lucky to be asked to do musical theatre.

You’re known for your love of language. Is it true you were inspired by your father?

He’s a magical, fascinating man. He’s the only person I know that if you take out the complete works of Shakespeare and quote him a line, he will tell you which play it’s from. From a very early age he inspired me to be fascinated by the history and structure of words.

What was your life like growing up?

I had a happy childhood. It was quite a curious one because I grew up on a college campus, so when the school holidays came around and the kids went home I could skinny dip in the pool and play on the tennis courts. It was a lovely place to grow up in. I’m very close to my parents, but sadly they are now separated and my dad has remarried. My mum is a French teacher and a wonderful, zesty, rather naughty character.

They must be very proud of your success…

It took me a while to realise I had ever achieved anything of merit because for the six years after
I left the Royal Academy, I did flounder a bit. But today, when I see how my parents react to it all, I can see they are quite proud of me, which is a lovely feeling.

For information and tickets for The SpongeBob Musical visit spongebobstage.com

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