BBC Strictly star Tom Dean got stern warning from mum after life-changing moment

Swimmer Tom Dean, 24, is one of 15 Strictly Come Dancing contestants on this year's show. The Olympian is a three times gold medal winner but his mother doesn't let him rest on his laurels

Three-time Olympic champion Tom Dean has work to do if he wants to lift the Glitterball Trophy.

The Strictly contestant received 23 points for his tango to Harry Styles track Golden with professional partner Nadiya Bychkova on week one of the show.

Singer JB Gill and his partner Amy Dowden are early leaders in the reality TV contest, topping the leader board with 31 points.

This week Tom, 24, and Nadiya will dance the cha cha to Boogie Wonderland by Earth, Wind & Fire.

The swimmer is best known for winning a gold in the men's 200m freestyle and a team gold in the 4x200m freestyle relay at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 before repeating the team feat in Paris this year.

But while he has reached the top of his sport, a feat most swimmers only dream of, Tom's mum hasn't let him rest on his laurels. Proud parent Jacquie Hughes, joked to the i paper after Tokyo: "He doesn't get out of anything just because he's got two golds.

"We are very proud of him but he won't be getting any special treatment when it comes to household chores or his place in the pack."

That pack consists of four siblings, with Tom's brothers and sisters telling him on a phone call to Japan: "Don't think this means you get out of your turn emptying the dishwasher". The siblings from Maidenhead, Berks, were introduced to the water as babies by keen swimmer Jacquie, who says: "From a very early age, he thought Michael Phelps was God on earth and he was his role model. His dream was the Olympics."

Now Tom has Strictly in his sights and he made an unexpected appearance at Sir William Ramsay School in Buckinghamshire earlier this week. He told pupils sleep was a crucial part of his success both as a swimmer and now as a Strictly hopeful.

"As an athlete, I very quickly learned that sleep is just as important as training and nutrition when it comes to performing at your best," he said. "Competing on Strictly this year and undergoing intense dance training has also reinforced how crucial rest is, not just for physical recovery but for mental focus as well."

And while he didn't top the leader board in his first week, many fans were impressed by his fledgling dance skills. "Tom has so much potential!" said Joanna on the BBC website. "Hope he can give it plenty in a Latin performance next - awesome job and so pleased Nadiya is back!"

"He was better than I expected," said Angel. "Athletes don't usually do so well on Strictly because their bodies are too rigid. But I hope he can overcome that."