Holly Willoughby and Phillip Scholfield amazed by man who loves to dress up and act like a puppy
This Morning hosts quizzed Tom on his lifestyle choice and how it ruined his relationship with his fiancée
VIEWERS of This Morning were left amazed today by a man who loves to dress up and act like a puppy.
Tom, 32, was joined on the show by his ex-fiance Rachel Watson who left him back in 2008 over his love of acting like a small dog, which he calls Spot.
Hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield looked baffled as they quizzed Tom on his desire to dress up and how it affected his relationship.
Tom, who works as a sound and lighting technician in a theatre, appears in the upcoming Channel 4 documentary, Secret Life of Human Pups.
Speaking about his interest in being a puppy, Tom said: "It means being able to escape from life, get away from the day-to-day busyness that you live in and have fun with the simple things of life. It's a chance to unwind and clear the mind.
"People think of it as seedy and that no one should see it. But we’re not there to cause mischief, we’re there to have fun and literally be treated like a puppy."
When asked by Holly why he doesn't try yoga or meditation, he said: "I don’t quite know to be honest, it’s just something I’ve built a reputation for myself as being."
Tom said his interest started after buying a costume online and being a puppy became his "alternative ego".
It's believed that more than 10,000 people are a part of the craze in the UK and Tom says he's completely consumed by being a puppy when he puts on Spot's costume.
He said: "When you're into it, it's like a headspace, your mind goes right down to being a puppy and you ignore what's going on around you."
However, he does revert to being a human when he needs to go to the loo.
Some viewers were left baffled by his lifestyle choice while others were supportive.
LeToya said: “I don't like to judge but them #HumanPups just make me feel sick. Some weird fetish it makes me shiver. #ThisMorning"
John joked: “This bloke on This Morning must be barking mad."
Dylan added: "Fair enough if he wants to be a dog in his spare time that's awesome."
When Phillip commented that he "looks very big for a puppy", Tom dropped his head and said: "I'm still just as playful".
Tom and Rachel are now "best friends" and Tom has a handler named Colin, who he describes as his "soul mate".
Speaking about their split, Rachel said: "He didn’t have the suit then, he was more into lycra and that.
Then he started going out on walkabouts with fellow minded people and other pups.
“I just couldn’t get my head round it, now with social media there’s more people to ask or talk to.
“Back then you didn’t have the same support.
"I've understood a lot more since the documentary."
While Tom admits the scene is dominated by gay men, he insists it isn't a sexual release for him.
Holly and Phillip looked intrigued as he explained how puppy play can become a sexual outlet for other people.
He said: “It’s a lifestyle, it’s not sexual. The whole point about puppy play is escapism, to get away from the hectic lifestyles we have today.
Tom is currently Mr Puppy UK and said his family are supportive of his lifestyle choice.
He said: "My family were shocked but they're very supportive. They know I’m not causing any harm to anyone, it’s just a bit of fun."
Rachel added that she's "proud" of her ex-fiance.
She said: “He is how he is; when he’s Spot, he becomes a lot more confident, when he’s Tom he won’t go up to a bar and ask for a drink.
“I’m proud of him.
“It used to be a big taboo but things have socially changed a lot but I think you wouldn’t be you without Spot in his life. I’m better off having him as a friend than nothing at all."
This Morning airs 10.30am to 12.30pm weekdays on ITV.
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