Daley Thompson, the legendary British Olympian, is set to make his debut on the reality television show Celebrity Big Brother 2025, which kicks off tonight at 9 PM on ITV1. The two-time Olympic gold medalist, who won the decathlon in both the 1980 Moscow and 1984 Los Angeles Games, is among a star-studded line-up that includes Hollywood actor Mickey Rourke, EastEnders actress Patsy Palmer, and former Conservative MP Michael Fabricant.
At 66 years old, Thompson’s entry into the reality TV arena marks a significant shift from his illustrious athletic career that spanned over a decade. Known for his incredible achievements in athletics, Thompson has accumulated numerous accolades, including three Commonwealth Games gold medals, two European Championship golds, and one World Championship gold medal. His prowess in the decathlon made him a household name, and he was even awarded the BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 1982.
As he prepares to enter the Big Brother house, fans are eager to learn more about Thompson’s life beyond the track. Born on July 30, 1958, in Notting Hill, London, his childhood was marked by adversity. His father, Frank, left the family home when Daley was just six years old. In a poignant reflection, Thompson recalled, "I’d kind of been looking after myself since I was seven years old. I wasn’t reliant on people for my emotional welfare, I just wanted to be the best at something – and I started doing athletics." Tragically, when he was 12, Daley learned that his father had been shot dead in a violent incident. He recounted the moment he was informed of his father’s death while at boarding school: "The teacher said, ‘You have to go to the headmaster’s office’. I said, ‘Oh my God, have I been caught?’ And we all laughed. And he said, ‘No, you’re not in trouble for once’... that my dad had been killed. My mum told me he and another man were with two ladies and one of the ladies’ husbands turned up and shot him."
Despite these challenges, Thompson channeled his energy into athletics, eventually becoming one of the greatest athletes in British history. After retiring from competitive sports in 1992, he transitioned into roles as a fitness trainer and motivational speaker, even opening his own gym in London. His children have also followed in his athletic footsteps; his son Elliott won the British decathlon title in 2022, 46 years after Daley first achieved the same milestone.
As the excitement builds for the new season of Celebrity Big Brother, bookmakers have placed Thompson at 25/1 odds to win the competition, positioning him among the less favored contestants compared to other housemates like Chris Hughes and Jack P. Shepherd, both of whom are currently leading the betting markets at 7/2. Kayley Cornelius from Betfred noted, "Even before this year's housemates have stepped into the Big Brother House, two celebrities are already leading the betting markets."
The Celebrity Big Brother house has undergone significant changes this year, moving to a "brand-new secret location" and featuring a new layout that includes an open-plan kitchen and living area. Unlike previous seasons, the house will now have 11 single beds and one double bed, which is expected to foster lively interactions among housemates. Host Will Best teased, "No mezzanine, but instead of the mezzanine, we've been assured that there will be other interesting and surprising features of the house."
Thompson’s appearance on the show is particularly noteworthy as it represents his first major foray into reality TV, a full three decades after he hung up his athletic spikes. His life has been filled with ups and downs, from overcoming a tumultuous childhood to achieving greatness in sport, and now, he faces a new challenge in the Big Brother house.
In addition to his athletic career, Thompson has had a colorful personal life. He married his childhood sweetheart Patricia Quinlan in 1987, with whom he had three children: Rachel, Austin, and Elliott. However, the couple split towards the end of the 1990s. He later had two sons, Alex and Aaron, with girlfriend Lisa Clayton before their relationship ended in 2016. Recently, Thompson shared that he has found love again, stating, "My boys set me up. I think so they don’t have to look after me! She’s a professional carer for a living and she’s looking after me."
As the new series of Celebrity Big Brother unfolds, viewers can expect to see Thompson navigate the complexities of living with other celebrities while sharing his life experiences and perhaps revealing more about his past. His journey from a challenging childhood to Olympic glory and now into the realm of reality television is sure to captivate audiences.
With the show launching tonight, fans and followers of Thompson are eager to see how he adapts to this new environment and how his athletic background influences his interactions with fellow housemates. As one of the most celebrated athletes in British history, Daley Thompson’s presence in Celebrity Big Brother promises to add a unique dynamic to the show.
