British swimmer Tom Dean has revealed he has signed up for the new series of Strictly Come Dancing.
Dean, 24, made the announcement after reaching the final of the men's 200 metres individual medley on Thursday night.
Speaking about his appearance on the dancing competition, he said: "Naturally you want to take a break after you’ve had a full Olympic cycle and the opportunity arose.
"I thought it would be really exciting to try something a bit different.
"I’ll be doing that and straight back into training after it. It’s something to look forward to."
Dean is the first contestant to announce they will be appearing on the 2024 edition of the show, when it returns in the autumn.
Dean admitted he is less assured of himself on dry land, saying: "I don’t do too well out of water in gravity sports.
"I’m throwing myself into it and I know what a hard day’s training is like so I’m looking forward to it. I guess we’ll find out.
"It’s something to look forward to and once I finish this, back home, relax a bit with the family and then we crack on end of August time. It’s exciting."
The results of an investigation, launched by the BBC following allegations made about Giovanni Pernice by former participant Amanda Abbington, will reportedly be published this week.
The 33-year-old Italian professional dancer has rejected allegations of "threatening or abusive behaviour" made by Sherlock actress Abbington, who was partnered with him in 2023 before he left the show.
On Friday Abbington said she feels "exposed and vulnerable" on public transport due to online threats against her from Strictly Come Dancing fans.
The actress told BBC Radio 4's Woman’s Hour: "When I’m on the train and things, I do sometimes feel exposed and vulnerable, I do, because of the nature of the threats I was getting.
"You do feel like you’re public enemy number one for saying 'I do not feel entirely happy with this’."
Source: Press Association
