Early Life and Education of Tom Daley: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Tom Daley. A timeline of key moments.

Thomas Robert Daley is a retired English diver, YouTuber, and television personality. He is an Olympic champion in the men's synchronised 10-metre platform event (2020) and a double world champion in the FINA 10-metre platform event (2009, 2017). Daley is an Olympic bronze medallist in the 2012 platform event, the 2016 synchronised event, and the 2020 platform event. In the 2024 Olympics, he won silver in the men's synchronised 10-metre event, making him the first British diver to win 5 Olympic medals. He also won the inaugural mixed team World title in 2015 and in 2024, his fourth World title. Overall, he is an Olympic champion, four-time World Champion, two-time junior World Champion, five-time European champion, and four-time Commonwealth champion.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

May 1994: Birth of Thomas Daley

In May 1994, Thomas Robert Daley was born at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, Devon, England, to Debbie and Robert Daley.

May 1994: Thomas Daley's Birth

In May 1994, Thomas Robert Daley was born. He would later become an accomplished diver, YouTuber, and television personality.

1998: Inspiration from Alexandre Despatie

In 1998, Tom Daley was inspired by Canadian diver Alexandre Despatie, who won gold at the Commonwealth Games at the age of 13.

September 2002: Competitive Squad Placement

In September 2002, Tom Daley was placed in a competitive diving squad after being spotted by a coach during regular diving lessons.

2008: Summer Olympics Debut

In 2008, Tom Daley represented Great Britain at the Summer Olympics, becoming Britain's youngest competitor at age fourteen.

April 2009: Bullying Allegations

In April 2009, Tom Daley spoke to The Herald about being bullied at school since the Olympics, and his father withdrew him temporarily due to the school's ineffective response.

May 2011: Death of Robert Daley

In May 2011, Robert Daley, Tom Daley's father, died from a brain tumour at the age of 40.

2012: Completion of A-level Studies

In 2012, Tom Daley finished his two-year A-level studies in mathematics, Spanish, and photography, passing all exams with A or A* grades.

2012: Approach from ITV

In 2012, following the Summer Olympics, television network ITV approached Tom Daley to participate in their new celebrity diving reality TV show Splash!

December 2013: Public Announcement of Relationship

On 2 December 2013, Tom Daley released a YouTube video announcing that he had been in a relationship with a man since earlier that year and stated that he had "never been happier."

August 2014: Signatory to Letter Opposing Scottish Independence

In August 2014, Tom Daley was among 200 public figures who signed a letter to The Guardian opposing Scottish independence in the run-up to September's referendum.

2014: Training Base Moved to London

At the beginning of 2014, Tom Daley relocated his training base from Plymouth to the London Aquatics Centre at the Olympic Park in east London and started working with a new coach, Jane Figueiredo.

July 2015: Sexual Orientation Interview

In a July 2015 interview with The Guardian, Tom Daley discussed his sexual orientation, stating that he does not put a particular label on it and still has sexual feelings towards girls despite being in a relationship with a man.

October 2015: Engagement Announcement

On 1 October 2015, Tom Daley announced his engagement to Dustin Lance Black.

2015: Patron of LGBT+ charity Switchboard

In 2015, Daley became a patron of the LGBT+ charity Switchboard and collaborated with YouTuber Calum McSwiggan to relaunch the charity under its new name.

May 2017: Marriage to Dustin Lance Black

On 6 May 2017, Tom Daley and Dustin Lance Black were married at Bovey Castle in Devon.

October 2017: Hosts Virgin Holidays Attitude Awards

In October 2017, Daley hosted the Virgin Holidays Attitude Awards for the first time.

April 2018: PinkNews Interview

In an April 2018 interview with PinkNews, Tom Daley described himself as "queer... not 100 percent straight... not 100 percent gay".

June 2018: Birth of First Child

In June 2018, Tom Daley and Dustin Lance Black's first child, a son, was born through surrogacy.

September 2018: Guest on Desert Island Discs

In September 2018, Daley was the guest on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, selecting "How Long Will I Love You" by Ellie Goulding as his favorite song, Harry Potter as his book and an oven as his luxury item.

2018: Daley calls for repeal of anti-gay laws

In 2018, Tom Daley called on Commonwealth countries to repeal their anti-gay laws, leading the UK Foreign Secretary to address gay rights concerns with leaders of countries where homosexuality is illegal.

2020: Took up Knitting and Crochet

During the 2020, Tom Daley took up knitting and crochet as hobbies when the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown began.

October 2021: Campaign to ban countries with death penalty for homosexuality from Olympics

In October 2021, Daley announced his "mission" to campaign for countries where homosexuality is punishable by death to be banned from future Olympic Games.

December 2021: Delivers Alternative Christmas message

In December 2021, Daley delivered the Alternative Christmas message for Channel 4.

2022: Appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

In 2022, Daley was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to diving, LGBTQ+ rights and charity.

March 2023: Birth of Second Child

In March 2023, Tom Daley and Dustin Lance Black's second son was born.

2023: Assistant Diving Coach at UCLA

In 2023, Tom Daley became an assistant diving coach at UCLA.

2023: Features in British Gas adverts

Since 2023, Daley has been featured in adverts for British Gas alongside other British Olympians and Paralympians.

July 2024: Joins Eurosport and partners with Malibu for "Drink Don't Dive" campaign

In July 2024, Daley joined Eurosport as a pundit for the Paris Olympics. Also in 2024, Daley partnered with Malibu and the Royal Life Saving Society UK for the "Drink Don't Dive" campaign, raising funds and awareness on the dangers of swimming after drinking.