TOM WILLIAMS

Listen to Fitzy talking to Tom Williams about Bi Dry July

Tom Williams's career in media nearly didn't happen! The carpenter form Manly was driving home after a big day on the tools when he called into his favorite radio stations drive program. Producer Jenny Oldershaw nearly cut him off, after the feedback from his car stereo blew off her headset. After pleading "Don't hang up Jenny!" he was put through to Merrick and Rosso on JJJ and Australia met 'The Chippy from Manly'.

Tom became a regular on the J's and when Merrick and Rosso moved in April 2001 to 'newcomer' on the FM block NOVA 969, Tom went with them running 'The Chippy's Driver Reviver' on a Friday morning.

When the producers of Room for Improvement, a new show for the Seven Network called to screen test Tom, he thought it was a joke the boys at NOVA were playing on him! The lark from Manly played it put to camera and miraculously got the job. His teachers from years gone by at St Aloysius College in Sydney could not believe there eyes, this juvenile, immature student was now showing Australia how to build and renovate stuff! Room For Improvement was a smash and ran for 4 seasons with Tom fulfilling the Host position for 2004.

In 2001 Tom's wings started to take flight when he joined The Great Outdoors team traveling the World for the next 7 years, to 30 countries, every continent and throughout Australia. His passport has been getting a solid workout over the years and he truly loves every adventure he sets off on, from Ecuador to The Artic, Vietnam to The Yukon. But it's the warm waters of the Pacific that he keeps returning to. Once a water kid, he's a Man who just loves the power and peace of the Ocean.

In 2005 Brad Lyons from 7 invited Tom to take part in Season 2 of the Australian smash hit 'Dancing with the Stars'. Tom's reaction was, "Don't be silly Brad, I'm into bands not ballroom dancing". After 10 weeks of 'pouncing' around under a mirror ball, live on air, Tom was crowned Champion and the 'Chippy' shot to Australian stardom.

Who would've thought, 13 years of competing in Surf Lifesavings World, Australian and State finals with no wins – nothing- and he goes and wins a dancing contest!

In the second half of 2005 Tom hosted the 5th series of The Mole. His job was to co ordinate, challenge and put ordinary Australians in extraordinary situations to see who had the nous and determination to win $500,000 in prize money. The team traveled to New Zealand each week for 10 weeks holding live evictions every Thursday night.

In 2008 'Gladiators' was alive and angry in Australia! Tom hosted the return of this cult classic show to rapturous applause from kid's right across the country. Parents were trying to calm down their over excited children on a Sunday night as Tom was throwing 'The Gladiators' to frightened contestants willing to take on there might and power.

So what's next for this accidental TV Star? After completing successful stints for 7 Sport reporting and commentating at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and 2006 Torino Winter Games, Tom is now reporting for the Kellogg's Nutri-Grain 2009 Series live on 7.