I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! viewers have been left questioning whether Tom Read Wilson's distinctive posh accent is genuine, prompting his close friend and colleague to speak out in his defence.
Jungle Accent Controversy
Since entering the Australian jungle as a late arrival alongside Vogue Williams, the 39-year-old Celebs Go Dating receptionist has captivated audiences with his eloquent speech and high-pitched, refined tone. However, not everyone has been convinced by his vocal delivery, with social media users accusing him of putting on a 'fake accent' for the cameras.
The backlash intensified when fellow campmate Aitch, the Manchester rapper, made pointed comments about the legitimacy of Wilson's speaking voice, suggesting he was waiting for him to 'turn it off'.
Friend Comes to Defence
Now, Anna Williamson, Wilson's Celebs Go Dating co-star of six years, has stepped forward to unequivocally confirm that his voice is completely authentic. The 44-year-old TV therapist appeared on ITV's Lorraine this week to address the growing speculation.
'It's probably the most common question everybody says, does he really talk like that?' Williamson told the daytime programme. 'I can now clarify, absolutely, Tom Read Wilson speaks like that.'
Williamson explained that Wilson's musical theatre training has likely contributed to his melodic tone, but emphasised that his personality and manner of speaking are entirely genuine.
Instagram Defence
The TV personality didn't stop there. Taking to her Instagram Stories, Williamson shared a passionate video addressing Aitch's 'unfair' comments and the ongoing online criticism.
'Let me tell you now on my kids' graves. That is how Tom speaks,' she declared emphatically. 'He is influenced by his dad. He was an English teacher and Tom just speaks like that.'
Williamson revealed the heartwarming family connection behind Wilson's eloquence, noting that he often jokes about sounding like 'June Whitfield like an 80 year old well-spoken granny.'
She further described Wilson as 'one of the most stoic, most sage' people in the industry and praised him for being 'unapologetically himself.' Her Instagram post was accompanied by a caption reinforcing that Wilson's speech patterns are '100% how he talks' and attributed his distinctive delivery to his education and passion for language and etymology.
The public defence from his longtime colleague and friend appears to have settled the matter, confirming that viewers are indeed hearing Wilson's authentic voice, both in and out of the jungle.
