Littlehampton teenager’s TV journey ends

The 19-year-old “young dumber”, of Meadow Way, Littlehampton, narrowly missed out on a round-the-world-trip in the final episode of the show on Sunday, after being relegated to the runner-up position.

The loss came as a bitter disappointment to the former Littlehampton Community School student, but the teen said he feels the show helped him to turn over a new leaf, and admits he now has a new passion for life.

He said: “Since leaving the show I just feel so much better about myself. I think this is a brand-new chapter in my life. I feel more mature.

“Before I came onto the show I had a short attention span and would never stick with anything.

“Now that’s all changed. The journey was full of ups and downs. But the last task really motivated me, I wanted to do my best to help.”

Tom’s mother Alison, 47, was one of eight parents involved in setting tasks for the work-shy teens during the show.

She gave the final three their challenge to help renovate the house of a needy person in each of their home towns.

Tom had an emotional journey helping the Littlehampton-based charity Jamie’s Wish redecorate a flat for a terminally ill teen, Kirsty Seeley, who tragically died weeks after the episode was recorded.

“That was really difficult. Kirsty was so upbeat and happy.

“I realised that I had no reason to be pessimistic about things. She was truly inspirational.”

Tom is now studying art at Northbrook College and feels the response to his appearance on the show has been “unanimously positive”.

Alison said: “I am proud of Tom. The one thing I hoped was that he would go into the show a boy and come out a young man.

“He is still the same old Tom, but he has a new enthusiasm for things.”

Tom now hopes to do more charity events for the Jamie’s Wish Foundation. He also hopes to release a raunchy calendar of himself with housemate, Jack, for fans of the show, later this year.