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Tom Daley breaks down in tears live on BBC as he confirms his retirement
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Tom Daley breaks down in tears live on BBC as he confirms his retirement

Olympic athlete Tom Daley broke down in tears as he spoke live on the BBC about his retirement.

The diver, who has just won his fifth medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, has announced that he will retire from the sport after this year’s Games.

Speaking to the BBC on his return to the UK, Daley appeared visibly emotional and said it was “difficult to talk about” his decision.

Team GB's Tom Daley homecoming at Paris 2024 Olympics

Leon Neal//Getty Images

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“It’s always tough when you say goodbye to your sport, so… there’s a lot of things to process but I think it’s the right time,” he said.

“This year was a great achievement, I was able to compete in front of my family and my children. I was able to be the flag bearer,” he continued, saying he had ticked several things off his bucket list.

Surrounded by cheering fans, he added: “I didn’t realise I wouldn’t be able to talk, it’s not like me. It’s hard to talk when you love something so much.”

“Thank you to everyone who has been there for me throughout this whole process,” he said. “It’s the end of an era, but I can look back and be very proud of my 23 years.”

Daley is married to filmmaker Dustin Lance Black. The couple has two children: Robbie and Phoenix Rose.

During the Paris Games, the knitting-loving jumper gave sports fans another enjoyable moment when his son Phoenix crashed his BBC interview.

Tom Daley giving a thumbs up with his silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics

Patrick Khachfe//Getty Images

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Commenting on his experience at these Olympics, Daley said: “That’s when I was the happiest because my family was here and they got to see that, and Phoenix is ​​trying to kill people by throwing his glass of juice.”

On that occasion, the diver may have hinted at retirement when he remained evasive about whether he would participate in the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

“I don’t know,” he said. “Right now I want to enjoy the present and then we’ll see what the future holds.”

Portrait of Stefania Sarrubba

Reporter, digital spy

Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in television and film. After graduating from City University London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets such as Little white lies, The truth is clear, Radio times and Digital Spy.

Her favorite subjects are horror movies and period dramas, especially if they star queer women. She can argue why. Shout It’s the best slasher in four (and a half) languages.

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