Strictly Star and Olympian Tom Dean Gets a Stern Warning from Mum After Dancing Debut
Olympic gold medalist Tom Dean, 24, is one of 15 contestants on this year's Strictly Come Dancing. Despite his three golds, his mother keeps him grounded and motivated.
Strictly Star Tom Dean Faces New Challenges Beyond the Pool
Olympic gold medalist Tom Dean may be a world champion in swimming, but his journey on Strictly Come Dancing presents a whole new challenge. Competing for the Glitterball Trophy, the 24-year-old swimmer has traded the pool for the dance floor, showing off his moves to a captivated audience. However, while Tom has achieved great success in his sporting career, his mum ensures he stays grounded.
After earning 23 points for his tango to Harry Styles’ Golden with professional dance partner Nadiya Bychkova, Tom’s journey on Strictly is just beginning. While not topping the leaderboard yet, he has impressed many with his potential and determination.
Tom Dean’s Strictly Journey: Dancing to a New Beat
This week, Tom and Nadiya will perform the cha cha to the disco classic Boogie Wonderland by Earth, Wind & Fire. As he transitions from the pool to the dance floor, fans are eager to see how the swimmer fares in a Latin dance style, a big shift from his rigid training as an athlete.
Currently, JB Gill and his partner Amy Dowden lead the Strictly leaderboard, scoring 31 points in their first week.
Tom Dean: From Olympic Glory to Strictly Stardom
Tom Dean is best known for his outstanding achievements in swimming, winning gold medals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in both the men’s 200m freestyle and the 4x200m freestyle relay. He repeated his relay success in the Paris 2024 Olympics, further solidifying his place as one of Britain’s top swimmers.
But while Tom is a household name in swimming, his mum, Jacquie Hughes, has made it clear that he still has responsibilities at home. In a lighthearted comment to the i newspaper after Tom’s Tokyo victory, Jacquie said:
“He doesn’t get out of anything just because he’s got two golds… He won’t be getting any special treatment when it comes to household chores.”
A Family That Keeps Him Grounded
Tom comes from a close-knit family with four siblings, all of whom have shared in his journey to Olympic success. His brothers and sisters humorously reminded him during a phone call to Japan, saying:
“Don’t think this means you get out of your turn emptying the dishwasher.”
Introduced to swimming at a young age by his mum, Tom grew up idolizing Michael Phelps, and it was always his dream to compete in the Olympics. Now, with his eyes set on winning the Glitterball Trophy, he’s taking on a new set of challenges.
The Importance of Sleep for an Athlete and Dancer
Recently, Tom visited Sir William Ramsay School in Buckinghamshire, where he spoke to students about the importance of sleep. He shared how both swimming and his current Strictly training highlight the significance of rest:
“As an athlete, I quickly learned that sleep is just as important as training and nutrition. Competing on Strictly this year has reinforced how crucial rest is for both physical recovery and mental focus.”
Fans Praise Tom’s Strictly Potential
While Tom didn’t lead the scoreboard in his first performance, many Strictly fans were impressed by his progress and saw potential in his dancing abilities. One fan on the BBC website commented:
“Tom has so much potential! Hope he can give it plenty in a Latin performance next – awesome job and so pleased Nadiya is back!”
Another viewer remarked:
“He was better than I expected. Athletes don’t usually do well on Strictly because their bodies are too rigid. But I hope he can overcome that.”
What’s Next for Tom Dean on Strictly?
As Tom Dean embarks on his Strictly journey, fans are eager to see how his athletic discipline and determination will translate into the world of dance. With the support of his family and a growing fanbase, Tom is ready to make his mark on the Strictly dance floor.
