HE shocked his loyal fan base when he announced he was quitting Gogglebox earlier this year, but it won’t be the last you see of Tom Malone Jnr on TV.
In an interview with The Celeb Report, the 26-year-old choreographer has revealed he has big plans for life after the show, as he addresses Paige Deville’s sudden exit and why he feared his family might get the boot.
Earlier this month, Paige revealed she was quitting due to “long hours of filming, restrictiveness, control of our actions and opinions and zero aftercare support”.
While Tom, who is working alongside CLIF Bar hosting live break dancing lessons, admits the filming schedule was “long”, he has nothing but praise for the team – saying they have been in regular contact with him.
He tells us: “I think my experience was different. I am not saying Paige is wrong, because obviously she’s had her own experiences.
“For me it was quite pleasant, I had a call from the people who deal with us afterwards saying they were sorry to see me go but wished me the best.
“They have always offered me any support and said if there is anything I need, there is people on hand to help with that sort of stuff.
“So in all honesty I can’t fault them with that. Everything in terms of after support they did offer that to me.”
Tom, who told his fans he was leaving to try new opportunities, adds: “There was never anything malicious or any bad blood when I left, it was more of a case of I really enjoyed it, I was really grateful for the experience but it was time to try something new.
“They understood that and were really supportive and even now I will speak to them and if any work opportunities come through to them they’ll forward it on to me. It’s really nice.”
The dancer is now enjoying his new found freedom of being able to post what he wants on social media and promote his dance projects.
Family fears
Tom was however worried his family – mum Julie, dad Tom and brother Shaun – might get kicked off when he walked.
“There was a bit of a conversation about them staying on the show, if that would be possible,” he says.
“I know in the past people have left to do stuff before and the whole family has been taken off the show. Because my family were able to stay on it, it was a much easier decision.”
In general it was an “easy decision” for Tom, who says “it was 30 weeks of the year for six and half years”.
“It was a long, long stretch and for me it was never the end goal to be on Gogglebox. It was nice while it lasted and I had a really great time but I just felt like it was the right time to try other opportunities while I am young enough to enjoy them all properly.”
TV jobs
Tom has landed a place on new show The Real Dirty Dancing, which he can’t talk about yet, but he says that doing a job that combines both TV and dance is his “ideal”.
He’d love to follow in the footsteps of Ashley Banjo or work on a dance talent show.
He says fans are often surprised to learn he is in fact a successful break dancer and choreographer away from the sofa.
He’s working alongside CLIF bar to get people moving, telling us: “Obviously I am a massive advocate for kids doing stuff that is productive, well anyone doing something productive. It’s better than doing nothing.
“Being young, I was always dancing or boxing, I was always doing stuff to keep active and I think it was one of the things that really helped me as a kid. When the opportunity came to work with Clif on this campaign to get more people moving, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to promote breaking.”
CLIF Bar, in partnership with Tom Malone Jr, are hosting live breaking lessons this week to encourage their fans to try a new type of movement. Tune in via @tommalonejr on Instagram and @tommalone_jr on TikTok from 7pm on Friday to take part, and check out Tom’s IGTV to watch the sessions you missed back.
