Beverwijker Tom Peperkamp is one of the most talked-about figures in the past season of the hit series B&B Vol Liefde. The so-called ‘Mick Jagger van de IJmond’ caused quite a stir in the Portuguese villa. Although the program has now ended, Peperkamp is still recognized on the street. “Everyone wants to take a picture with me,” he says.
It is not surprising that the talkative participant has become a celebrity. The television show is the hit of the summer season and kept millions of people glued to the tube until last weekend. Three IJmonders participated in the programme, in which owners of a bed and breakfast abroad go in search of love. Tom Peperkamp (69) managed to attract the necessary attention.
The colorful Beverwijker suddenly appeared in the villa of the posh Marian Trott (68). An appearance that contrasts strongly with Marian’s stylized appearance. Yet he did not hesitate for a moment when he saw the call on television. The long-haired rocker, who exchanged the IJmond for a music church in Groningen a few years ago, was open to a new adventure, he says.
Report
“Who is Burgundian, who is a little artistic and who wants to do a little fun things with me. Well, men, come on!” Tom was sitting quietly behind his laptop when he saw the call come by and was immediately blown away.
“She looked nice, knows her own business, so is really looking for a man for fun. And if you like it, then it can come out more, I thought. I thought she was a nice woman and a challenge, so I I shot a video right then.” It turns out to be the start of Tom’s B&B adventure, because three weeks later he receives a message from RTL.
“I always looked like a rag bag and those freshly dressed ladies of those rich guys liked that back then too.”
Remarkable match
The Netherlands looks surprised at this remarkable match, but according to Tom, the interest is not that strange at all.
“I used to be in a band and we only played at parties for the notables. I always looked like a bag of rags and those smartly dressed ladies of those rich guys all liked that back then. That type of woman often likes those yes-men around them and I am not a yes-man, so I had good hopes.”
His intuition turns out to be correct, because a few months later he is on a plane to Portugal. While Tom is busy with his B&B adventure, the Netherlands still has no idea of what is happening on the Portuguese coast, and that was sometimes quite difficult for the frank Tom.
“I’m in love with you, but not in the way you want”
“You get ten A4 pages in advance with the fact that you have to keep everything a secret, which I thought sucked. Anyway, everything still had to be mounted, so I didn’t know what it would look like.”
And it shows, because his departure looks a bit different on TV than in reality. “On day six we had a conversation without a camera and then I said: Marian, I am in love with you, but not in the way you are looking for. But to remain friends.”
Marian thinks the same and gets to kick him out for the rolling cameras. This means an abrupt end for Tom for the viewers. With a wet painting with him, he boards the plane to the Netherlands, back to his church.
B&B circus
All broadcasts are now over and Tom no longer has to mince words, a relief. Yet the B&B circus is still in full swing, he explains. “I was at a party on Saturday and everyone wanted a picture with me. I say: I’m walking here with my grandson, so if you give him an ice cream, I’ll take a picture with you. That also works with beers. I I think that’s wonderful,” he says with a smile.
“We really feel a kind of love for each other, but not to be in bed with each other.”
He now uses his fame to create some interest in his performances, a nice bonus. But the most valuable thing he got out of the program is the friendship.
“The bond with Marian and her two friends is so nice. I have a very good contact with all those girls. We really feel a kind of love for each other, but not to lie in bed together.” When asked if he would do it all over again, he is clear: “I would do it all over again!”