I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! star Matty Lee and his diving partner Tom Daley stole the hearts of the nation when they won gold at the Tokyo Olympic Games in the summer of 2021.
Giving a spectacular performance in the men’s synchronised 10m platform event, the pair displayed a close friendship and an undeniable bond during the games.
Since becoming diving partners in 2018, it’s clear the two enjoy a close union, with Matty, 23 often posting plenty of pics of himself and Tom, 27, on his Instagram account. While Tom also shares hunky pics of themselves training together.
So as Matty gets down and dirty in the castle, Daily Star has taken a look inside their close friendship.
First encounter
(Image: Getty Images)
Surprisingly, Matty has always been a big fan of Tom and they first met when Matty was just nine years old.
On the official Team GB website, Matty shares his experience of his first encounter with Tom, while expressing his amusement at how things have changed for the iconic duo.
Retelling the story, he said: “I don’t remember the exact day we met but I was a massive fan of Tom’s. I remember running up to him and asking for photos and a signature.
“There’s a photo of me and Tom around the year of Beijing and it’s funny because I’m just a kid with a big head. We put them together with another photo that’s more recent.
“It’s funny how things change. All those years back I was a fan, a little kid looking up to him. Now we’re best mates and Olympic gold medallists.”
Matty tells Tom about his I’m A Celeb stint
(Image: Daily Mirror/Andy Stenning)
Matty previously expressed that he longed to take part I’m A Celeb and was honored to be selected after he had finished up at the Olympics.
The Leeds sportsman was quick to tell Tom of the great news as he often gives him great advice on his career endeavours.
Talking to publication Leeds Live, Matty said: “When I told Tom, he was in shock too! He is so excited for me and he has always been so supportive and helped me a lot over the past three years.
He gives me advice about anything whether it is relationships or whatever – I always ask Tom.”
Speaking about what convinced him to take the ITV offer, he continued: “Everyone knows who Tom Daley is but people don’t necessarily know who I am.
“But without each other, we would never have achieved what we have achieved. He always gives me credit where it is due and I also do too. He is really happy for me to grow as an individual and I think it is a chance for people to get to know me better.”
Tom calls Matty his “work husband”
(Image: ITV)
Due to their success at the Tokyo Olympics, diver Tom gifted Matty with a gold ring which has the Olympics logo on it.
Tom, who started diving for Great Britain in the Olympics at the age of 14, also said he’d planned to gift the ring to Matty before they even arrived in Tokyo and had purchased a matching piece of jewelry for himself.
Speaking candidly to GQ at the time, Tom said: “Yeah, so now we’ve got the same ring.
“I’ve got my husband [held up his wedding band] and my work husband [held up the Olympic Games ring], basically.”
Tom supports Matty
(Image: Internet Unknown)
As well as being gold-winning medalist, hunky Tom is also a Youtuber with 1.21million subcribers.
On his platform, Tom often speaks fondly of his work partner Matty and sometimes includes him in his videos.
Earlier this year, the Olympian spoke openly with his followers about the appreciation he has for Matty and their gold medal win.
He said: “I mean, I’ve been diving for 20 years, four Olympic games, and many events and many attempts at trying to win an Olympic gold medal and this guy rocks up on his first Olympic games, first time ever competing at the Olympics and wins gold. Genuinely can’t believe it and it’s been so incredible.”
On November 21, Tom also uploaded a video where he could be seen doing a fan Q&A with Matty. He also urged his viewers to get behind Matty while he appears on I’m A Celeb.
I’m A Celebrity airs nightly on ITV at 9pm
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
