INSPIRATION TOM
BGT star’s mission to raise awareness of type 1 diabetes
BRITAIN’S Got Talent sensation Tom Ball has opened up about being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
The singer, 24, who was a finalist on this year’s show, said he was inspired to speak out by his students.
Teacher Tom revealed:
“The condition has been something I’ve lived with for a long time and was diagnosed with officially when I was eight years old.
“But it wasn’t until my pupils asked questions about it when they witnessed me checking my blood glucose levels one time that made me realise how important it was to talk about it and help them to understand it.
“Especially as some went on to also have the condition and later mentioned that they weren’t scared or worried because of our previous chat.”
Tom’s BGT audition, in which he sang Sam Smith’s James Bond theme Writing’s
On The Wall, led judge Amanda Holden to proclaim him one of the best singers the show had seen for 16 years.
Tom, who came third in the final, has just become a Diabetes UK ambassador ahead of World Diabetes Day today.
Chief executive Chris Askew said: “Tom is living proof you can pursue your dreams with type 1 diabetes and inspire others, first as a teacher and now as a singer.”
Despite leaving his teaching role behind, Tom has been busy touring and is launching his own online music school, Tom Ball’s Rising Stars. But he did find time recently to marry his NHS nurse fiancee Hannah.
He said: “We had the best day with family and friends.
“Life is busy right now but making time to speak out about my health condition to inspire, raise awareness and help others is something my new wife and I are passionate about.”
■ For more info visit diabetes.org.uk
tom.bryant@mirror.co.uk @MirrorTom
My pupils made me realise how important it is to talk TOM BALL BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT FINALIST