Tom Dean has revealed what happened after he accidentally announced he was set to appear on the upcoming series of Strictly.
The BBC go to great lengths to keep the celebrities taking part in each series top secret and stars usually don’t comment on speculation until it’s officially confirmed.
But Tom confirmed he is getting ready to take to the dancefloor while speaking after the men’s 200 metres individual medley at the Olympics in Paris.
Thankfully, he didn’t receive a punishment, as when asked by if he was told off for the slip up, he confessed: ‘No, not too badly. A few people mentioned it but not too bad.’
The gold medal winner went on to admit that despite competing on the world’s stage in swimming, he’s more nervous about dancing in front of the nation.
Tom Dean has revealed what happened after he accidentally announced he was set to appear on the upcoming series of Strictly
The gold medal winner went on to admit that despite competing on the world’s stage in swimming, he’s more nervous about dancing in front of the nation
He confessed: ‘I didn’t get really nervous at the Olympics. I think it’s because it’s what I do every single day.
‘I’ve got a feeling when we get announced and when we walk out, it’s going to be slightly different. I might be a little bit more nervous because it’s so different to what I do every day, but you know, who knows, we’ll see…
‘We haven’t done loads of training, so I’m just trying to focus more on getting my own moves right at the moment, but I feel like once we’ll start to get into it, you know, it’s a competition. So I’m gonna want to do well.’
Tom follows in the footsteps of his teammate Adam Peaty as he confirmed recent reports he will be taking part.
The BBC go to great lengths to keep the celebrities taking part in each series top secret and stars usually don’t comment on speculation until it’s officially confirmed.
But Tom confirmed he is getting ready to take to the dancefloor while speaking on live TV after his team’s win at the Paris Olympics.
He said: ‘Naturally you want to take a break after you’ve had a full Olympic cycle and the opportunity arose. I thought it would be really exciting to try something a bit different. I’ll be doing that and straight back into training after it.
Tom also confirmed he’d be seeking advice from his teammate Adam who danced with Katya Jones on the 2021 series.
Tom also confirmed he’d be seeking advice from his teammate Adam who danced with Katya Jones on the 2021 series
He said: ‘It’s something to look forward to. I’ve not seen [Adam] yet. He did brilliantly on it so I’ll be getting a few tips from him, for sure.
‘I don’t do too well out of water in gravity sports. I’m throwing myself into it and I know what a hard day’s training is like so I’m looking forward to it.
‘I guess we’ll find out. It’s something to look forward to and once I finish this, back home, relax a bit with the family and then we crack on end of August time. It’s exciting.’
In 2015, radio DJ Scott Mills revealed the lengths the BBC goes to keep the line-up of each series private.
He said: ‘They’re so worried about it leaking out as to who’s on it, it’s like a massive secret.
‘Obviously the papers try and guess all the time. They try and keep it under wraps so much, that they give everyone code names every year. I felt like I was in James Bond – it was so cool.’
The Strictly Come Dancing 2024 launch show will air on Saturday 14th September at 19:20 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
STRICTLY LINE-UP 2024
Chris McCausland
Age: 46
Profession: Comedian
Chris says: ‘If anybody out there is thinking – How the hell is he going to do that? – then rest assured that I am thinking exactly the same thing.’
Dr. Punam Krishan
Age: Unknown
Profession: GP and broadcaster
Punam says: ‘I have watched Strictly every year and it feels extra special that it’s the 20th year, I can’t believe I will be the one getting Strictly-fied.’
Toyah Willcox
Age: 66
Profession: Singer, actor, presenter
Toyah says: ‘I’m super excited and love this show. To be a part of it, the spray tan the glitter. Its a landmark year for me I came a pensioner, Glasto and now I get spray tans.’
Pete Wicks
Age: 36
Profession: Reality star
Pete says: ‘Dancing live in front of the nation every Saturday? Absolutely terrifying.’
Shayne Ward
Age: 39
Profession: Actor and singer
Shayne says: ‘I’m no stranger to live TV, but dancing Latin and Ballroom in front of millions is a whole new level.’
Tom Dean
Age: 24
Profession: Olympic medal winning swimmer
Tom says: ‘Now I can officially talk about how excited I am to get stuck into something new, meet some brilliant people and get dancing’
Nick Knowles
Age: 61
Profession: TV presenter
Nick says: ‘I am going to really go for it I will throw myself at it 100 per cent!’
JB Gill
Age: 37
Profession: Singer
JB says: ‘A lot of the ballroom styles are very alien to me – I didn’t do those dances growing up. I am not a trained dancer.’
Wynne Evans
Age: 52
Profession: Opera singer, presenter
Wynne says: ‘The stuff I’m nervous about is the ones that involve jumping, I don’t really want to do the jive, I’m nervous about that.
Tasha Ghouri
Age: 25
Profession: Model and reality star
Tasha says: ‘I’ve been watching the show since I was little – it’s a firm Ghouri family favourite – so this is a total dream come true.’
Sarah Hadland
Age: 53
Profession: Actress
Sarah says: ‘I feel particularly excited to be part of such an iconic show in its 20th year.’
Jamie Borthwick
Age: 30
Profession: EastEnders star
Jamie says: ‘I had a ball doing the Christmas special, so when I was asked to join it was the easiest yes!’
Sam Quek
Age: 35
Profession: Former GB hockey player and presenter
Sam says: ‘I am so relieved it is out there now it has been hard to keep a secret! The rumours were spreading and I had to lie! I am used to dancing on a girls night out but I will give it my all’
Paul Merson
Age: 56
Profession: Former footballer
Paul says: ‘I won’t worry about it until it starts but when it does I will be nervous – I have only danced three times in my life!’