Tom Daley: I’m Not Gay

Popular Olympian Tom Daley has stated he isn’t gay in a new interview with the Sunday Mirror.

The Olympic diver turned television personality has a large gay following and was recently voted sexiest man in the world by readers of Attitude Magazine. Daley beat the likes of Henry Cavill, David Beckham, Duncan James and Prince Harry in Attitude’s poll of the 100 most sexiest men.

The Olympian’s popularity with gay audiences has perhaps inevitably  lead to speculation about his sexuality. In an interview with the Sunday Mirror Daley stated he isn’t gay but wouldn’t be ashamed if he was.

“I think it’s funny when people say I’m gay… I laugh it off.  I’m not. But even if I was, I wouldn’t be ashamed. It wouldn’t bother me in the slightest what people thought. But I can understand why I have a massive gay following – I spend most of my life half naked in trunks on a diving board showing off my bare chest. I often joke I wear more to bed than I do to work. But I’m cool with my gay following. It’s great to have gay fans even though my friends gently take the mick.” – Tom Daley speaking to the Sunday Mirror

Daley’s popularity with the general public has lead to new projects outside of diving for the 19 year old. Earlier this year he was the coach on ITV‘s Saturday evening entertainment series Splash!.

The series was basically celebrity diving with the likes of Joey Essex and Caprice participating. Splash! was slammed by critics but was a mild ratings hit with many putting the presence of Daley – often appearing in just trunks – as the reason for its success. The diver recently landed an ITV2 series which will follow his travels around the world.