Nicholls was born at South Elmsall, Yorkshire, in 1931, son of Jack, a miner, who moved with his family to Wellington, Shropshire when Thomas was aged seven or eight.[1]
He competed at the 1952 and 1956 Olympic Games, reaching the final in 1956, where he was defeated by Vladimir Safronov of the Soviet Union. He also competed at the 1952 Summer Olympics, where he was beaten in the second round by eventual gold medalist Pentti Hämäläinen from Finland.
It was at Wellington he began training in his sport at Sankey's boxing club. He retired from professional boxing in 1957. He was living at Brandlee, Dawley at the time of his Olympic appearances but later returned to live in Wellington. [1]
He married in 1955 June Clift, who predeceased him. They had a son, Mark, and daughter, Carol, who survived him. He died at Lightmoor View Care Home in Telford, Shropshire in July 2021 aged 89.[1] His funeral took place at Emstrey Crematorium, Shrewsbury, on 19 August following.[6]
