Tom Dean is making waves beyond the Olympic swimming pool as he gears up to hit the dance floor on this year's edition of Strictly Come Dancing. Fresh off his historic medal wins, the 24-year-old, who hails from Maidenhead, Berkshire, will be the show’s youngest contestant this season. His participation marks yet another chapter of sports stars taking on the glittering challenge, blending athletic prowess with the art of dance.
The announcement of Dean's involvement wasn't without its share of drama. During the Paris Olympics finals, he inadvertently revealed his plans to join the dance competition when it was mentioned en passant, raising eyebrows and piquing interest among fans. "You may have heard me accidentally say it poolside first... but now I can officially talk about how excited I am to get stuck into something new, meet some brilliant people and get dancing. Bring it on!" Dean shouted with enthusiasm during his official announcement on BBC Radio 1 this past August.
A decorated swimmer, Dean's resume features not just gold medals but accolades like the MBE he received for his contributions to the sport, making him one of the UK's most accomplished athletes. He gained fame with his remarkable performances at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where he not only snagged three gold medals but also emerged as the first Brit to win the men's 200m freestyle since before World War I. His impressive run continued at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, where he cemented his status as England's premier athlete by bringing home seven medals.
Family support has been pivotal for Dean throughout his career. When he clinched his third gold medal during the team 4 x 200m freestyle relay at this summer's Olympics, his family proudly cheered him on, sporting customized t-shirts emblazoned with his name. His sister Connie eloquently described the emotional weight of her brother's achievements, stating, "You don’t see all the work going on behind the scenes. This is just the light. To see him do something like this after decades of work, it’s indescribable."
He expresses awareness of the transition from the competitive swim lanes to the lush dance floor. Commenting on this shift, he acknowledged the sense of excitement around embarking on something new post-Olympics. Drawing parallels between the intensity of swimming and the artistry of dance, Dean explained, "Naturally, you want to take a break after you've had a full Olympic schedule. The opportunity arose, and I thought it would be exciting to try something different. I'll jump right back to training after it, but for now, it’s all about dancing."
Even Dean's behaviour hints at his swimming background; during nights out with fellow Team GB friends, he joked about how their social outings inevitably lead to impromptu stretches and individual strokes on the dance floor. "We attract quite a bit of attention," he chuckled, hinting at fun nights out often turning competitive.
On the topic of Dean's dancing skills, his mother Jacquie Hughes lightheartedly acknowledged his past amateur experience. “He had some dance classes at school, but I wouldn’t say he was John Travolta,” she reminisced. While she recognises swimming as his primary talent, she jokes about the humorous family traditions, particularly the Christmas dances choreographed by him and his brothers, which add to the holiday cheer.
All eyes will be on Dean as he takes on the challenge of balancing the disciplines of swimming and dance, creating his distinct path through both worlds. His eagerness shines through as he prepares for what promises to be both entertaining and transformative. With all that's at stake, there's no doubt Tom Dean is ready to make his mark on the dance floor, chasing another kind of glory, one twirl at a time.
