Fred Sirieix was every inch the proud dad on Thursday as he excitedly prepared to watch diver daughter Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix compete in her first Commonwealth Games.
The First Dates star, 50, took to Twitter to share a snap of the pool and diving boards ahead of his 17-year-old girl’s performance in the Women’s Diving 10m Platform Preliminary round.
As he sat in the audience at Birmingham’s Sandwell Aquatics Centre, Fred tweeted: ‘This is it! Let’s #goAndrea’, with Andrea so far leading the competition after the third round.
Proud: Fred Sirieix was every inch the proud dad on Thursday as he excitedly prepared to watch diver daughter Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix compete in her first Commonwealth Games
Andrea is competing in her first Commonwealth Games, having competed with Team GB at the summer Olympics in Toyko last year.
Speaking to Swim Swam, Andrea said of her first Commonwealth Games: ‘I am so honoured to be a part of a team of such incredible athletes.
‘I’ve never had an international competition on home soil, so I am super excited to have my parents and brother come to Birmingham to support me.
‘I remember watching the Gold Coast and thinking “I really want to be a part of that team one day” – and I am so happy to have the opportunity to compete and make my family and friends proud.’
That’s my girl: The First Dates star, 50, took to Twitter to share a snap of the pool and diving boards ahead of his 17-year-old girl’s performance (pictured together in September 2021)
What a star! Andrea is so far leading the competition after the second round, having scored a total of 224.20 points after three dives
The maître d’hôtel – who shares Andrea with ex Alessandra Spendolini – has often shared his pride at his daughter’s sporting achievements, and in December, told how he sought advice from her in a bid to help him succeed in the Christmas special of Strictly Come Dancing.
Fred told the Mirror: ‘When I started rehearsals I was joking that this was like I was representing France at the Olympics. I have been showing Andrea the dances since the first day of the rehearsals and she said to me, “Dad, you just have to focus”, which was her main advice.
‘She has been very supportive, she has seen my improvements and has been very encouraging.’
Andrea finished in seventh place in the women’s 10m platform diving final at the 2020 Tokyo Games, which were held in 2021 after they were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Competitive: Andrea is competing in her first Commonwealth Games, having competed with Team GB at the summer Olympics in Toyko last year
Look at her go! Andrea’s Commonwealth bid has got off to a flying start
And while Fred was unable to travel to Japan to watch his daughter compete, he said he was impressed by the attitude that helped her achieve in her sport as he watched her on the television at home, remembering her ‘positive mental attitude’ for Strictly.
He said: ‘When I was getting ready for Strictly I was thinking about her and her confidence, because she’s been there and she’s done it, and now I have to do it and perform something very hard for a big audience.’
Andrea broke down in tears as she spoke to her First Dates star father Fred on Zoom after finishing in seventh place at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Women’s 10m platform diving final.
Honour: Speaking to Swim Swam , Andrea said of her first Commonwealth Games: ‘I am so honoured to be a part of a team of such incredible athletes’
Andrea reunited with Fred, mother Alessandra Spendolini, and other members of her loved ones via video call, following the monumental final at her first ever Olympic games.
The emotional young diver spoke of her pride and emotion at speaking with her family members – who said they were ‘so proud of her’ – and who are unable to attend the games amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a sweet video, Andrea was seen wiping her eyes while her mum spoke to her, as she repeatedly said thank you while she was congratulated following her epic turn on the board.
Advice: The maître d’hôtel has often shared his pride at his daughter’s sporting achievements, and in December, told how he sought advice from her in a bid to help him succeed in the Christmas special of Strictly Come Dancing
She said: ‘I am so happy. I was speaking to my family because there is an Athlete Moment screen and I started crying. I am very, very proud of where I came.
‘I was extremely nervous before the prelims so I thought my nerves would get the better of me and I wouldn’t make it to the semi.
‘Then after the semi I got into the final and that was exactly what I wanted to do. That was my plan. I’ve definitely exceeded my expectations.
‘It definitely gives me confidence for Paris (2024). That is very close, so my whole family can come. Hopefully, hopefully COVID has gone because I want my family to come and watch. I am very, very excited.
‘My dad, my mum and my cousins and my aunties were on the Athlete Moment. They said that they were very proud and that I should be proud as well. They said they miss me and I miss them. It just went back and forth.’
Success story: Andrea broke down in tears as she spoke to her First Dates star father Fred on Zoom after finishing in seventh place
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