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All Saints

Dancing With The Stars

Tom Williams is the new host of the observational documentary series Surf Patrol.

Now in its third season, the program takes viewers to the frontline of the daring and dangerous work carried out by Australia’s volunteer lifesavers.

Tom is thrilled to be presenting a program so close to his heart.

“I’m really excited to be working on a show that profiles these everyday heroes,” he says. “I’ve been involved with surf lifesaving for 16 years. I spent five of those years patrolling and have been in some of the situations seen in the series. I also live at the beach and am there every day.

“Surf lifesavers give up their own time to come to the aid of beachgoers in extraordinary circumstances. Surf Patrol is the true stories of these iconic Australian volunteers who do a fantastic service for their community.”

Tom has been with Channel Seven since 2001 and is known as the network’s resident thrill-seeker.

As a reporter on The Great Outdoors, he has paraglided over Switzerland's Matterhorn, trekked through the dense Guatemalan jungle, explored an active volcano in Costa Rica and made it to Machu Picchu. During his seven year run on the show, Tom has been on more than 60 trips spanning 25 countries, including Africa, the Arctic Circle, Ecuador and the Middle East. And as a snowboarding instructor, competitive surf lifesaver and keen surfer, he is definitely no stranger to adventure.

2009 has also seen him serve as a commentator on Seven’s coverage of the Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Iron Man series and appear regularly as a presenter on New Idea TV with both travel and “at home” tips.

In 2008, Tom took on the role of co-host alongside Zoe Naylor for the network’s revived series, Gladiators and joined the Channel Seven commentary team at the Beijing Olympics. He called all the action at the BMX and canoe-kayak events. Later that year, he then served as a roving reporter at the network’s coverage of the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.

But the former chippy first shot to Australian superstardom following his performance in Seven's high rating show Dancing with the Stars. More than 2 million viewers watched as he was crowned champion of series two.

Soon after, Tom hosted the fifth 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 up $500,000 in prize money.

Tom's media career began in July 2000 after the licensed carpenter became a regular guest on radio personalities’ Merrick and Rosso's Triple J radio show as 'Tom the Chippy'. When the comic duo moved to Sydney radio station Nova 969 in April 2001, Tom moved with them, running 'The Chippy's Driver Reviver' every Friday morning.

His knockabout charm and easy humour made him a popular figure alongside the Nova breakfast team and the first choice as the resident carpenter on the Seven Network's DIY show, Room For Improvement, in 2001. Seven found a rare quality in Tom – the capacity to be both approachable and professional. As a result, he landed the opportunity to give his passport a workout as a presenter on The Great Outdoors. When he's not working, he can be seen supporting bands, both local and international, around his hometown. A Sydney boy born and bred, Tom is also an ambassador for AFL team the Sydney Swans and likes to spend his downtime enjoying the sun, sand and surf all over Australia.