What’s Next for Tom Daley? Betting Odds and Predictions Shared

Tom Daley’s next move after retiring from diving could see him hosting a knitting show, starring in movies, or even becoming a TV pundit. (Image: Michael Kappeler/dpa)

Tom Daley, Britain's most decorated diver, announced his retirement from the sport after Paris 2024.

The news was no doubt music to the ears of knitting shops in Los Angeles, where he lives, as the star has a penchant for creating garments out of textile fabrics.

What's more, Daley's name may well have been mentioned in TV production meetings aplenty across the globe since his announcement.

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Following a successful Paris Olympics, in which Daley and his diving partner Noah Williams won a silver medal in the synchronised 10m platform event, the star announced his intention to hang up his trunks.

He told the BBC: "I'm really happy with how everything's gone.

"It's always hard when you say goodbye to your sport. Lots of things to process, but I think it's the right time. This year felt like such a bonus and I got to compete in front of my family, my kids." added Daley.

"I got to be a flagbearer. So yeah, bucket list ticked off on every occasion."

Daley achieved his dream of winning gold at Tokyo 2020 and then took two years out from diving, before a medal-winning return at Paris 2024.

But this time, it doesn't sound as though he will be back for Los Angeles 2028, despite the next Games being on his and his husband Dustin Lance Black's doorstep. 

Daley To Dive Into New Show?

Daley has already admitted he is "really excited" about spending more time with his family—Black and their sons, Robbie, six, and Phoenix, 16 months—following his retirement.

He added to the BBC: "I want to be with my family. I'm really excited to be able to spend some time with them and just be able to feel a bit normal for a couple of days."

The star is also likely to dedicate more time to another of his great passions, knitting. As well as being a decorated diver, Daley has also become known across the globe for knitting at various Olympics. It came after he was caught on camera at Tokyo 2020 knitting away while poolside.

Daley spotted knitting in the stands as he cheered on Team GB stars Yasmin Harper and Scarlett Mew in the women's diving. (Image: PA Images/Alamy)

Following his diving retirement, Daley is now just 1/1 to host or star in a knitting-style reality TV show next, which could be a perfect way for the star to pursue his passion further.

But if Daley wants to stay even closer to his husband Black while working, he could appear in one of his significant other's movies.

American screenwriter and director Black won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay after he penned 2008 movie Milk, and he also wrote 2011 motion picture J. Edgar, which was directed by Clint Eastwood and starred Leonardo DiCaprio.

Tom Daley and Dustin Lance Black explore creative horizons together, from Olympic pools to cinematic scripts. (Image: Steve Bealing/Landmark Media)

If Daley is eyeing an acting career—after previously making a cameo in sci-fi disaster film Sharknado 5: Global Swarming—then the 2/1 on him to appear in one of his husband's films could be favourable, or he could impress his kids by reading a CBeebies Bedtime Story (5/2).

Daley To Follow In Lee's Jungle Footsteps

Away from his personal life, Daley's career highlight was winning gold at Tokyo 2020, which took place in 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic, alongside his diving partner Matty Lee in the synchronised 10m platform event.

Tom Daley and Matty Lee celebrate their 2021 Tokyo Olympic gold ahead of Daley's 2024 Paris silver achievement. (PA Images/Alamy)

But he could soon be following in Lee's footsteps if the 3/1 on Daley to appear in reality TV show I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! is anything to go by.

The Ant and Dec-hosted show will return for a 24th series later this year, and with Daley likely to have more time for other projects, it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see him taking part in the programme's dreaded Bushtucker Trials at the end of this year.

It comes after Lee took part in I'm A Celebrity's 21^st series, finishing in fifth place.

Daley is also no stranger to appearing on a reality TV show, after he took part in the sixth series of The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer last year.

What's more, during the star's appearance on legendary radio show Desert Island Discs, he was asked to pick a luxury item to take on a desert island, and the keen cook chose an entire fitted kitchen.

However, host Lauren Laverne would only permit him an oven.

Daley could certainly make use of one if he appeared on Celebrity MasterChef, which he is 4/1 to do so following his diving retirement, while he is 6/1 to take part in the much tougher series of Celebrity: SAS Who Dares Wins, should he want to really challenge himself physically.

Daley's Splash Return?

Daley believes it is the "right time" for him to retire from diving and admitted his final dive was an "emotional" moment after he made the decision to end his career in Paris 2024 prior to this year's Games.

He told Vogue magazine: "It was emotional at the end, up there on the platform, knowing it was going to be my last competitive dive.

"But I have to make the decision at some point, and it feels like the right time. It’s the right time to call it a day."

While it doesn't sound like he will be diving professionally anytime soon, could Daley become a mentor again?

British reality TV super-fans should cast their minds back to the mid-2010s when a show started called Splash!, in which celebrities learned how to dive.

While it only lasted for two series—which were won by Olympic ski jumper Eddie "The Eagle" Edwards and dancer Perri Kiely—Daley was an expert mentor to the celebrities.

Should the programme return anytime soon, then TV bosses will no doubt be on the phone to Daley about reprising his role, and it's 8/1 that he accepts.

But one role he is very likely to have around the pool come 2028 is as a pundit for the Los Angeles Olympics.

The star was part of the Eurosport team for Paris 2024, but his services are likely to be in further demand in four years.

The BBC are currently the early 4/6 favourites to land his services, while it's 6/4 he returns to Eurosport and 2/1 he signs for US-based NBC.