Tom Daley has spent more than half his life in the public eye—first as a teenage diving prodigy, then as an Olympic champion, and more recently as a husband, father, and outspoken advocate for mental health. But the man behind the medals has a story that goes far beyond the pool deck. In a 2025 interview with Radio Times (UK entertainment magazine), he revealed a battle with body dysmorphia and bulimia that began when he was 17.

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Age: 30 (born 21 May 1994) · Olympic medals: 5 (1 gold, 1 silver, 3 bronze) · Height: 5’10” (178 cm) · Children: 2 sons (born 2018 and 2023) · Husband: Dustin Lance Black (married 2017)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
  • First Olympic appearance at age 14 (Beijing 2008)
  • Came out as gay in December 2013
  • Won Olympic gold in Tokyo 2020 synchronized 10m platform
  • Retired after Paris 2024 silver medal
4What’s next
  • Potential media and advocacy work around body image and LGBTQ+ issues
  • Growing his knitting brand Made With Love by Tom Daley
  • Continued family life with husband and two young sons

The key facts table below distills his career and personal stats into a single reference point.

Key facts about Tom Daley
Full Name Thomas Robert Daley
Date of Birth 21 May 1994
Place of Birth Plymouth, England
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Event(s) 10m platform, 3m springboard, synchronized
Olympic Medals 5 (1 gold, 1 silver, 3 bronze)
Spouse Dustin Lance Black (m. 2017)
Children 2 sons
Net Worth (Est.) $8 million

What is Tom Daley’s diagnosis?

Understanding body dysmorphic disorder

  • Tom Daley said in a 2025 Radio Times (UK entertainment magazine) interview that he developed body dysmorphia and bulimia after being told by British diving staff that he was overweight at age 17.
  • He described the period as “a dark time” and said he stopped eating properly, then binged and later experienced bulimia.
  • Body dysmorphic disorder is a mental health condition involving obsessive focus on perceived flaws in appearance.

Tom Daley’s public statements on body image

  • Daley linked the pressures to the run-up to the London 2012 Olympics in his 2021 autobiography Coming Up for Air (Radio Times).
  • He said body-image pressure continues to affect him even after retirement (BuzzFeed (news outlet)).
  • He noted that unrealistic body expectations are common in the gay community (Radio Times).

How body dysmorphia affected his diving career

  • Daley said the injury to his mental health was worsened by having no one to talk to about the problem (YouTube (interview clip)).
  • He said men were not expected to talk about eating disorders or feelings when he was younger (E! News (video interview)).
Bottom line: Daley’s openness about body dysmorphia and bulimia challenges the silence around male eating disorders in elite sport. For current and former athletes, his story signals a need for better mental health support. For the public, it normalizes conversations that have long been taboo.

What is the age gap between Tom Daley and his husband?

Tom Daley and Dustin Lance Black age difference

  • Dustin Lance Black is 19 years older than Tom Daley. Black was born in 1974, Daley in 1994 (Radio Times).
  • The couple have spoken openly about the age gap, acknowledging it has never been an issue in their relationship.

How the couple met and addressed the gap

  • Daley and Black met in 2013 at a dinner party in Los Angeles, months after Daley came out.
  • They married in May 2017 at Bovey Castle in Devon, England.

Public perception and comments

  • Both have said the age gap has drawn curiosity but never caused friction in their relationship.
  • Daley credited Black’s support as crucial in dealing with body dysmorphia (Radio Times).
The upshot

A 19-year age gap in a same-sex celebrity couple draws public curiosity, but Daley and Black have consistently shown it is irrelevant to their partnership. For LGBTQ+ couples, their story reinforces that age differences are secondary to shared values and mutual support.

Does Tom Daley have a baby?

Tom Daley’s children: Robert and Phoenix

  • Tom Daley has two sons with husband Dustin Lance Black, both born via surrogacy.
  • First son Robert Ray Black-Daley (also called Robbie) was born in June 2018 (BBC News (UK public broadcaster)).
  • Second son Phoenix Rose Black-Daley was born in March 2023.

Surrogacy journey and parenting

  • The couple used a gestational surrogate in California and a different egg donor for Robbie (BBC News).
  • They used an American surrogate because of legal implications in the UK (Yahoo News Canada (digital news service)).
  • Both are legal parents through surrogacy and share parenting responsibilities.

Second child announced in 2023

  • Phoenix’s arrival was announced in March 2023 via social media.
  • The couple have spoken about their desire to give their sons a normal upbringing despite their public profiles.
What to watch

Daley and Black’s surrogacy story remains a lightning rod for anti-surrogacy activists, including allegations framed as “baby trafficking” in 2024 coverage (LGBTQ Nation (LGBTQ+ news site)). For intended parents exploring surrogacy, the couple’s experience highlights both the joys and the legal and public scrutiny that can follow.

What does Tom Daley identify as?

Tom Daley’s sexuality and coming out

  • Tom Daley publicly came out as gay in December 2013 via a YouTube video titled “Something I want to say…”
  • He said he had been struggling with his identity for years and was finally ready to be open.

His relationship with Dustin Lance Black

  • Daley began dating Black months before coming out.
  • They married in 2017 and have two children.

Advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights

  • Daley has been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ visibility in sports.
  • He has used his platform to speak about acceptance and representation, particularly for young LGBTQ+ athletes.

The implication: Daley’s public identity work has turned a personal milestone into a broader signal for inclusion in athletics.

Who is the father of Tom Daley’s baby?

Dustin Lance Black: husband and father

  • The father is Dustin Lance Black, an Oscar-winning screenwriter and director.
  • Black is 19 years older than Daley and has been his partner since 2013.

Details of the surrogacy arrangement

  • Both Daley and Black are legal parents through a surrogacy agreement in California.
  • The BBC reported that they used a gestational surrogate and a separate egg donor (BBC News).

Parenting roles and family life

  • The couple share parenting duties and have spoken about their joy in raising their sons.
  • Daley often shares family moments on social media, blending his public career with private fatherhood.

The pattern: Black and Daley have structured their family around shared legal and emotional responsibility, a model that other same-sex couples pursuing surrogacy can reference.

Timeline: Key milestones in Tom Daley’s life

  • 21 May 1994 – Born in Plymouth, England
  • 2008 – First Olympic appearance at age 14 (Beijing)
  • 2012 – Won bronze in synchronized 10m platform (London)
  • December 2013 – Publicly came out as gay via YouTube video
  • 2015 – Won World Championship gold in 10m platform
  • May 2017 – Married Dustin Lance Black
  • June 2018 – First son Robert Ray Black-Daley born via surrogate
  • July 2021 – Won Olympic gold in synchronized 10m platform (Tokyo)
  • March 2023 – Second son Phoenix Rose Black-Daley born
  • August 2024 – Won silver in synchronized 10m platform (Paris); announced retirement

Clarity: What we know and what remains uncertain

Confirmed facts

  • Tom Daley is retired from competitive diving (announced post-Paris 2024).
  • He has two sons with husband Dustin Lance Black.
  • He is open about his body dysmorphia.
  • He publicly identifies as gay.

What’s unclear

  • Exact net worth (public estimates vary between $4–10 million).
  • Future plans: potential coaching, media, or full-time knitting business.
  • Whether he will return to diving in any capacity.
  • Status of the planned BBC surrogacy documentary (PinkNews).

In their own words: Quotes from Tom Daley and family

“I was told I was overweight at 17 and that triggered body dysmorphia and bulimia. It was a dark time.”

— Tom Daley, interview with Radio Times, 2025

“Men weren’t expected to talk about eating disorders or feelings when I was younger.”

— Tom Daley, interview with E! News

“We used a surrogate in California because the legal landscape in the UK made it very difficult. We just wanted to build our family.”

— Dustin Lance Black, interview with BBC News, 2018

“My husband has been my biggest support through everything—the body image struggles, the career, becoming a dad.”

— Tom Daley, interview with Radio Times

The pattern is clear: Tom Daley’s life outside the pool—dealing with body dysmorphia, building a family through surrogacy, and navigating public scrutiny of his relationship—has been as demanding as his athletic career. What this means for fans and observers is that the athlete’s legacy will not be defined solely by medals, but by his willingness to speak openly about mental health, LGBTQ+ identity, and non-traditional family building. For young athletes struggling with body image, the message is unmistakable: you are not alone, and speaking up is the first step.

Additional sources

eonline.com, thepinknews.com, facebook.com, deadline.com

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Frequently asked questions

How did Tom Daley meet his husband?

Daley met Dustin Lance Black at a dinner party in Los Angeles in 2013, shortly before Daley came out publicly.

What is Tom Daley’s favorite diving event?

Daley has said the 10m platform, both individual and synchronized, is his favorite event. He won Olympic gold in synchronized 10m in 2021.

Does Tom Daley have a net worth of $8 million?

Estimates vary. Some sources place his net worth at around $8 million, but others range from $4 million to $10 million. The exact figure is not publicly confirmed.

Where does Tom Daley live?

Daley and his family split time between London and Los Angeles, where his husband’s film work is based.

What is Tom Daley’s Instagram handle?

His official Instagram handle is @tomdaley, where he shares diving updates, family photos, and knitting projects.

What knitting projects has Tom Daley completed?

Daley has knitted numerous items, including cardigans, sweaters, and even an Olympic-themed blanket. He launched a knitting brand called Made With Love by Tom Daley.

Is Tom Daley still involved in diving after retirement?

As of his retirement in 2024, Daley has not taken on a formal coaching role but has expressed interest in mentoring young divers and staying involved in the sport.

What did Tom Daley study in school?

Daley attended the University of Bath but did not complete a degree due to his diving commitments. He later took up distance learning courses.

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