Olympic champion and The Celebrity Traitors star Tom Daley has spoken candidly about his long-standing struggles with bulimia, body dysmorphia, and the pressure of unrealistic body expectations within the gay community.
In a recent interview with Radio Times, the 31-year-old British diver reflected on the impact of his experiences with eating disorders, particularly leading up to the London 2012 Olympic Games, a period he described as one of his darkest.
Daley revealed that being told by his performance director at British Diving that he was “overweight” at just 17 triggered his disordered eating.
“I had absolutely no idea what I was doing at that time, so I just cut out food,” he shared.
“I used to get so hungry that I’d binge. Then when I binged, I’d feel so bad that I was bulimic for a while. It was a dark time because I didn’t have anyone to talk to about it. Men weren’t meant to talk about their eating disorders back then.”
In his 2021 memoir Coming Up for Air, Daley first opened up about his struggle with body image. He continues to be vocal in hopes of raising awareness, especially among men, who often feel silenced by stigma.
A Toxic Pressure to Look Perfect
Daley said his negative relationship with his body deepened when his appearance began to be scrutinised more than his performance.
“It was the first time where I felt that I was being looked at and judged not for how I did in the diving pool, but for how I looked,” he said. “I took some quite drastic measures to make sure the food didn’t stay in my stomach.”
Even today, gym environments can feel daunting for the five-time Olympic medallist.
“As an Olympian, I go to the gym and I hate it because I’m like, ‘Oh my God, everybody’s judging me for how I’m doing this.’ I find it intimidating.”
Support from Husband Dustin Lance Black
Daley credited his husband, Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, for being a constant source of support.
“My husband’s been a huge support in that,” he said. “I think it’s a big thing in the gay world. Some people have very unrealistic body expectations.”
Daley added in a separate interview with The Times:
“I hate the way I look… I still feel ashamed talking about it now. Once you’re on the other side, it feels so easy to stop and ask for help. But when you’re in it, you feel like you can’t be helped.”
Raising Awareness in a Broader Conversation
Daley joins a growing list of celebrities who have spoken out about eating disorders and mental health struggles, including Demi Lovato, Olly Alexander, and Strictly Come Dancing star John Whaite.
The NHS defines body dysmorphic disorder as a condition in which someone becomes overly concerned with perceived flaws in their appearance — flaws often unnoticed by others.
With his documentary Tom Daley: 1.6 Seconds, the Olympian hopes to shed more light on the physical and emotional toll of elite sports, and the silent pressures faced by many in the public eye.
