Inside Olympian Tom Dean’s life as gold medal-winning swimmer ‘signs up to Strictly Come Dancing’

Swimmer Tom Dean splashed back into the Olympics during the men’s freestyle relay on Wednesday, 1 August and helped his team clinch a gold medal. And after his triumphant success, it looks like he’s set for another dazzling performance as he swaps his swimming cap for sequins.

The 24 year old, who is also known as Deano, has reportedly signed up for this year’s Strictly Come Dancing, which will be the show’s 20th anniversary. A source told The Sun: “It’s quite a coup for the producers to bag an Olympian fresh from winning gold in Paris, and swimmers have been shown to be great contestants.

The 24 year old could be swapping swimming caps for sequins as he’s reportedly signed up for Strictly Come Dancing
(Image: Richard Ellis/UPI/REX/Shutterstock)

“They tend to be a sensation as a result of their fitness, competitiveness and sheer determination to win – and Tom will still be pumped from his victory in France.

“He doesn’t quite have the same profile as other top-level swimmers yet but that’s likely to drastically change after his time on Strictly.” A Strictly representative told OK! “Celebrity contestants for this series will be announced in due course, all the news articles at the moment are running speculatively.”

OK! has contacted Tom’s representatives for comment.

After scooping up the gold at the Olympics and his next challenge reportedly on the horizon, let’s take a closer look at his life away from the water.

Tom, who hails from Maidenhead, Berkshire has four siblings and when he was just eight years old found his passion for swimming. He went on to win gold during the 200m individual at the 2017 European Junior Championships before securing another gold the following year, which saw him break a European Junior record.

James Guy, Duncan Scott, Matthew Richards and Tom Dean of team Great Britain celebrate after winning Gold in the Men’s 4x200m Freestyle Relay
(Image: Getty Images)

Adding to his impressive collection, he also clinched two bronze medals in the 400m individual medley and the 4x200m freestyle relay. He made his Olympic debut during the 2020 Tokyo Games where he scooped up a gold medal in the 200m freestyle final.

To mark his achievements in 2022, Tom was awarded an MBE in the New Years Honours. Following his success in Paris, Tom became the first male British swimmer to win two gold Olympic medals at the same Games in 113 years.

The Olympic legend, who lives in Bath, has been heavily supported by his family, who have shared their pride of his success. His mum, Jacquie told the BBC she had “never seen him beaming from ear to ear as much as he was’ in Paris.”

Tom’s mum gushed over how proud she was following his second Olympic win
(Image: Getty Images)

His sister, Connie, who was also cheering on from the sidelines, added: “You don’t see all the work that goes on in the dark. This is just the light. To see him do that after decades of work, it’s indescribable.

“It’s a gruelling spor, you’re waking up at 5am, you have to go to bed at a certain time every day, you have to eat right.”

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