On December 2, 2013, Tom Daley made the boldest dive of his career – and it wasn’t into a pool. The British diving sensation, who’d already competed in two Olympics by age 19, uploaded a YouTube video that sent shockwaves through the sports world.
In just over five minutes, Daley did something few elite athletes dared at the time: he came out, revealing he was in a relationship with a man.
Over a decade later, Daley’s journey from nervous teen to openly gay Olympian, husband, and father has become a testament to living authentically in the public eye.
“I Feel Ready To Talk About My Relationships…”
Daley’s coming-out video still packs an emotional punch, all these years later. Daley, visibly nervous, starts with a shaky, “Hi guys. So, most of you are probably wondering why I’m doing this video…”
His eyes dart around, betraying his anxiety as he builds up to the real reason for his impromptu broadcast.
As he recounts the rollercoaster of his life – losing his father to cancer, winning an Olympic medal – you can almost see him gathering courage.
Then, the moment of truth arrives: “Come spring this year, my life changed massively when I met someone, and it made me feel so happy, so safe… And, well, that someone is a guy.”
The relief in Daley’s voice is clear as he adds, “I couldn’t be happier.” It’s a moment of raw honesty that still resonates today:
In the years since that watershed moment, Daley’s personal life has flourished. In 2017, he married American screenwriter Dustin Lance Black in a fairytale ceremony at Bovey Castle in Devon.
Their relationship, which began shortly before Daley’s coming out video, has been a source of inspiration for many in the LGBTQ+ community.
The couple’s journey into parenthood has been equally touching. In 2018, they welcomed their first son, Robbie, named after Daley’s late father. In 2023, they expanded their family further with the birth of their second son, Phoenix.
Daley has been open about the challenges and joys of same-sex parenting, using his platform and popular YouTube channel to advocate for LGBTQ+ families.
Daley’s courage in coming out seemed to fuel his diving career to new heights. At Rio 2016, he clinched bronze in the synchronized 10m platform with partner Daniel Goodfellow.
But it was at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (held in 2021) where he finally struck gold, winning the synchronized 10m platform with diving partner Matty Lee.
The image of Daley, tears in his eyes, biting his gold medal became an iconic moment of the Games. He capped off his Olympic journey at Paris 2024, where he served as one of Team GB’s flag bearers and snagged a silver in the 10m synchronized platform with Noah Williams.
Just a day after the Paris Games concluded, Daley announced his retirement from professional diving, bringing an end to a career that spanned four Olympics and inspired millions both in and out of the pool.