He’s a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! viewers were convinced Tom Read Wilson had bombed the Lethal Library trial. Paired with Martin Kemp in Thursday night’s nail-biting challenge, the 39-year-old receptionist seemed painfully slow as he delicately rummaged through cages crawling with snakes, spiders, and every jungle nightmare imaginable.
Fans think they’ve worked out why Tom was initially so slow in the trialCredit: James Gourley/ITV/Shutterstock
He was paired with Martin Kemp for the Lethal LibraryCredit: ITV
Ant and Dec standing side by side, with Ant pointing and Dec laughing, in a jungle setting.
Martin, 64, was on the other end of the walkie-talkie frantically reading clues and yelling “HURRY UP, TOM!” while the clock ticked mercilessly. At one point it looked like they were heading for disaster – fans at home were already bracing for the camp’s rice-and-beans dinner.
But then the internet exploded with a glorious plot twist.
Far from being scared stiff or clueless, Tom was deliberately taking his time… because he refused to hurt a single creature.
Social media lit up with love for the man who’s now officially the jungle’s gentlest soul:
“He’s slow but I think it genuinely comes from wanting to ensure he doesn’t hurt the animals in the process which I luvvvvv.”
“Tom is so kind to animals. Such a good guy.”
“Tom being so kind to every snake he comes across despite the fact I think he’s genuinely scared of them is so cute lol.”
“He’s so kind to everything.”
One fan even caught the moment Tom carefully lifted a snake out of the way like it was a precious antique vase, whispering apologies as he went. The same viewers who thought he was tanking the trial suddenly crowned him the unexpected hero of the series.
Of course, not everything went down well with the audience. When Ant and Dec couldn’t resist dropping a massive hint on the “jungle and a book” clue (Dec wildly gesturing at the actual jungle around them, Ant shouting “You’re living in one!”), fans were furious:
“Why are Ant and Dec giving them clues? What’s the point?”
“Dec just gave them that answer.”
“Ant & Dec help the celebs too much. Part of the show is the celebs suffering and not getting stars!”
Love him or hate the hosts’ helping hand, one thing is clear: Tom Read Wilson went into that trial expecting to be the villain of the night… and accidentally became the purest hero the jungle has ever seen.
The man everyone thought had failed just won the nation’s heart – one terrified snake at a time.