Tom Daley reveals how the death of his father five years ago has changed him as a person
The diver gave an insight into his life during an ITV documentary
OLYMPIC diver Tom Daley has opened up about how the death of his father five years ago has changed him as a person.
Tom, who lost his father to brain cancer in 2011, said: "Losing my dad has made me think about life in such a different way.
"It's been weird adapting to life without him but all the lessons that he's taught me, I’ve tried to live by.
"I think he’s really shaped me into the person that I am today."
Speaking as he featured in an ITV documentary entitled Tom Daley: Diving For Gold, the 22-year-old sportsman continued: "I would love for him to be able to say to me what he thinks about what I've been doing over the last few years because he didn't get to see me win my Olympic Medal and he won't get to see me compete in the next Olympic Games either."
Tom won bronze in the 2012 London Olympic Games and is currently preparing to represent Great Britain in Rio this summer.
His father Rob was an avid supporter of his career and would attend every tournament with his son before his health started to fail.
Now Tom's American filmmaker fiancé, Dustin Lance Black has every faith that Tom will achieve gold in Rio.
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Dustin commented: "I know Tom can win the Gold. His coach knows he can win Gold. There’s no question Tom can win Gold in Rio.
"The question is, does Tom believe it? There are days he does and there are days I’m not sure he does yet."
Speaking about his relationship with 42-year-old Lance, Tom gushed: "It means everything to be engaged to Lance because he has been so supportive of me.
"I have Lance to thank for so many things. I don't think I would [still] be diving if I hadn't met Lance."
Tom Daley: Diving For Gold airs on Saturday 30 July, 8pm on ITV.
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