Tom Daley says he ‘might’ve come out earlier’ had he not been famous as he goes shirtless for shoot

Back in April 2014, he declared: ‘I am a gay man now,’ in an emotional YouTube video which he released four months after coming out as bisexual.

And now, Tom Daley, 26 – who shares son Robert Ray with husband Dustin Lance Black, 46 – has admitted that he ‘might’ve come out earlier’ had he not lived his life in the public eye.

The diver posed shirtless for new shoot with fellow diver Matty Lee, 23, for the cover of Attitude Magazine as he got candid about becoming famous at a young age, after winning his first World Championships Win, aged 15, back in 2009.

Candid: Tom Daley, 26, has admitted that he ‘might’ve come out earlier’ had he not lived his life in the public eye posed shirtless for Attitude Magazine with fellow diver Matty Lee, 23

Asked if he regrets having so much of his life in the public eye, Tom insisted: ‘I don’t think I’d ever regret it. It is what it is. I share what I’d like to share, and that’s all of what’s on my social media and things like that.

‘At the end of the day, I’ve lived with it from such a young age, I don’t feel any different for it, if that makes sense? And I don’t know any different…

‘I don’t think I would have done anything differently, actually. I always think that I might’ve come out earlier, but then there was also a time for me to experiment and actually figure out who I am.

Living in the limelight: Tom got candid about becoming famous at a young age, after winning his first World Championships Win, aged 15, back in 2009

Living in the limelight: Tom got candid about becoming famous at a young age, after winning his first World Championships Win, aged 15, back in 2009

‘I didn’t want to have to go through all of that in the public eye, so I think doing it the way I did was the best way for me to do it.’ 

Cover stars: Matty and Tom showed off their rippling physiques as they posed in their swimming gear for the cover of Attitude Magazine

Cover stars: Matty and Tom showed off their rippling physiques as they posed in their swimming gear for the cover of Attitude Magazine

Discussing how he was impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, the father-of-one confessed that it helped to put everything ‘into perspective’.

Tom told the publication: ”I do a lot of mindfulness and meditation… And I think even just this lockdown year and the coronavirus, I had to change my perspective on so many things — it makes you realise what matters most.

‘At the end of the day, the Olympic Games is just a game, it’s in the title of the tournament, the Olympic ‘Games.’ So, yes, they’re extremely important, and they mean the world to us, but we’re not saving people’s lives here.

Perspective: Discussing how he was impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, the father-of-one confessed that it helped to put everything into perspective

Perspective: Discussing how he was impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, the father-of-one confessed that it helped to put everything into perspective

Golden boy! Tom and his synchronised diving partner Matty are on a winning streak after scooping gold at both the World Cup and European Championships earlier this month

Golden boy! Tom and his synchronised diving partner Matty are on a winning streak after scooping gold at both the World Cup and European Championships earlier this month

‘We’re not NHS doctors and nurses who are actually doing things that are life-changing. 

‘We are just trying to do the best that we can to be the best in the world, which is important in other ways. But I think this year has really put that into perspective — for me, anyway.’  

Tom and his synchronised diving partner Matty are on a winning streak after scooping two golds (including a solo medal for Daley) at both the World Cup and European Championships earlier this month. 

Leading the way: Veteran Olympian Tom revealed the advice he has given to Matty ahead of his first Olympics (Pictured in 2012 after winning bronze)

Leading the way: Veteran Olympian Tom revealed the advice he has given to Matty ahead of his first Olympics (Pictured in 2012 after winning bronze)

Adding to their already impressive medal hauls, the pair are ready for success at the Tokyo Olympic Games, and Tom revealed the advice he has given to Matty ahead of his first Olympics.

Veteran Olympian Tom admitted that it’s important to ‘enjoy it and have a good time’ after having trained relentlessly.

He said: ‘We spend hours, and hours, and hours, and hours training for the Olympic Games.

Growing up in the lime light: Tom become famous at a young age, after winning his first World Championships Win, aged 15, back in 2009 (pictured)

Growing up in the lime light: Tom become famous at a young age, after winning his first World Championships Win, aged 15, back in 2009 (pictured)

Family life: Tom shares son Robert Ray with husband Dustin Lance Black, 46

Family life: Tom shares son Robert Ray with husband Dustin Lance Black, 46

‘And what often happens is that you train so hard, and you put so much pressure on yourself, that actually you hate every second of the competition because you’re so nervous and worried about what’s going to happen.

‘When actually, the best thing you can do is know that you’ve worked really hard for it, know that you’ve put in all the hours, and enjoy the competition.

‘It’s the moment you’ve been dreaming of, it’s the moment you’ve been working hard for, so what’s the point in torturing yourself the whole way through it? Just ‘eff’ it, just do it, enjoy it, and have a good time.’  

The July issue of Attitude is out now. 

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