Olympian ‘signs up for Strictly’ days after bagging gold at Paris games

Team GB Olympic swimmer Tom Dean, who clinched a gold medal in Paris, is reportedly making his way to the Strictly dance floor.

Tom, 24, alongside his fellow athletes – James Guy, Duncan Scott, Matthew Richards – soared to victory during the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay on Tuesday, adding another notch to Team GB’s medal total.

And now insiders have reported that Tom – who also won two gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics – could be switching out the pool for the stage as part of this year’s BBC Strictly Come Dancing line-up.

‘It’s quite a coup for the producers to bag an Olympian fresh from winning gold in Paris, and swimmers have been shown to be great contestants,’ a source told the Sun.

‘They tend to be a sensation as a result of their fitness, competitiveness and sheer determination to win — and Tom will still be pumped from his victory in France.’

The source added that although the Maidenhead swimmer doesn’t have quite the same profile as other top-level swimmers that would ‘drastically change’ after his stint on the hit reality series.

He would join a long legacy of elite athletes to appear in the series including Olympic gymnast Claudia Fragapane, Paralympic swimming medalist Lauren Steadman and bronze medalist Louis Smith.

The MBE recipient is far from the only public figure rumoured to be part of the 2024 line-up which will also celebrate the show’s 20th anniversary.

Other big names potentially in the mix include Hannah Waddingham, Pearl Mackie, Janet Street-Porter, Sarah Millican, GK Barry, Ralf Little and Jill Scott.

The line-up rumours come against the backdrop of increasing behind-the-scenes turbulence for the series.

Over the past year, Strictly pros Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima have been axed from the show following concerning allegations from ex-dance partners such as Amanda Abbington and Zara McDermott, respectively.

Giovanni has denied all allegations and has vowed to clear his name, while Di Prima said he ‘deeply regrets’ the events that led to his departure from the show.

Meanwhile, Love Island’s Tasha Ghouri, understood to have previously dated Giovanni, is also rumoured to be taking part in this year’s competition.

The reality star and dancer made history as the ITV show’s first-ever deaf contestant.

Discussing her potential inclusion, a source told The Sun: ‘Whilst fans who like a journey will be irked she is a professional dancer, others who enjoy watching incredible moments from the off will be more than satisfied.

‘She’s also become a powerful force for good campaigning and raising awareness for those with disabilities.

‘The Giovanni link is unfortunate to say the least, but above all else Tasha is a gorgeous girl who deserves this amazing opportunity.’

In 2023, actor Ellie Leach and her partner Vito Coppola secured the Glitterball trophy after a close final.

Metro.co.uk has reached out to the BBC. Tom Dean’s representatives have declined to comment.