Strictly's first contestant for 2024 announced as star 'breaks rules' to confirm place

Strictly Come Dancing's first Olympic contestant has been confirmed (Image: BBC)

Olympic swimmer Tom Dean has confirmed he has signed up for Strictly Come Dancing. The 24-year-old made the announcement after reaching the final of the men's 200 metres individual medley on Thursday night.

It was previously rumoured the athlete would be taking to the dancefloor but the news had not been confirmed. Stars of the dance competition are usually expected to keep the news quietly under wraps but Tom has seemingly let slip.

The three-time Olympic champion said he had planned to seek advice from Team GB teammate, Adam Peaty, who took part in Strictly in 2021 and was partnered with Katya Jones.

Tom said: "Naturally you want to take a break after you've had a full Olympic cycle and the opportunity arose.

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"I thought it would be really exciting to try something a bit different.

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Tom Dean took part in the Paris Olympics but is now set for Strictly (Image: Getty)

"I'll be doing that and straight back into training after it. It's something to look forward to."

The Olympic swimmer admitted he had not yet seen Adam but admitted he would have to get a "few tips" from his teammate.

Tom, who is also known by fans as "Deano" will be swapping swimming for the dancefloor as he's set to take part in the 20th anniversary.

A source had previously told the same publication: "It's quite a coup for the producers to bag an Olympian fresh from winning gold in Paris, and swimmers have been shown to be great contestants.

Tom Dean won the Olympic gold medal in the men's 4x200m freestyle while in Paris (Image: Getty) window.topArticlesScript="https://cdn.images.express.co.uk/js/dist/article-top-articles202408011.min.js" SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

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"They tend to be a sensation as a result of their fitness, competitiveness and sheer determination to win — and Tom will still be pumped from his victory in France.

"He doesn't quite have the same profile as other top-level swimmers yet but that's likely to drastically change after his time on Strictly."

Tom grew up in Maidenhead, Berkshire with his four siblings.

The swimmer won gold in the 200m Individual Medley at the 2017 European Junior Championships before going on to win gold medal in the 200m Individual Medley the following year, breaking a European Junior record in the process.

He also won two bronze medals, in the 400m Individual Medley and the 4x200m Freestyle relay.

In 2022 he was awarded an MBE in the New Years Honours.

Strictly's first contestant for 2024 announced as star 'breaks rules' to confirm place

Strictly's first contestant for 2024 announced as star 'breaks rules' to confirm place

Strictly's first contestant for 2024 announced as star 'breaks rules' to confirm place

Strictly's first contestant for 2024 announced as star 'breaks rules' to confirm place

Strictly's first contestant for 2024 announced as star 'breaks rules' to confirm place