Swimming
Three-time Olympic champion Tom Dean is taking a break from the pool to make his debut on BBC’s long-running show Strictly Come Dancing.
The British swimming sensation has been paired with Ukrainian dancer Nadiya Bychkova, with the pair getting stuck into training ahead of the show beginning on Saturday, 21 September.
Dean is one of 15 celebrities competing on the dancefloor, with the show lasting 13 weeks.
“We can’t wait to get cracking on Strictly this year,” Nadiya wrote on Instagram, sharing a snap of the pair in full attire.
“Tom has come straight from the Paris Olympics and he’s ready to give Strictly his all.
“We can’t wait for you to watch – the hard work, and the fun, starts here!”
It has been quite the year for the 24-year-old, who helped Great Britain win gold in the 4x200 freestyle relay at Paris 2024.
His medal tally now stands at three, after topping the podium in the 200 free and men’s 4x200 free relay at Tokyo 2020.
Last week, Dean also announced his intentions to open the Tom Dean Swim School, beginning in his hometown of Maidenhead.
“Our ultimate goal is to make sure young people from all backgrounds have access to swimming, building their water confidence and celebrating the joy of being in the water,” he said.
He’ll be the second British swimmer to take the dancefloor, following the footsteps of Adam Peaty who came ninth in 2021.
Strictly begins on Saturday (21 September), at 19:00 BST on BBC One.