Night celebrates success of Plymouth diving star Tom Daley

OLYMPIC hero Tom Daley was the star guest at a night to celebrate his achievements.

In recognition of his amazing successes, business figures and city dignitaries were invited to the evening, organised by The Herald and Western Morning News at the Barbican Kitchen.

The Eggbuckland student was presented with an album of photographs of his sporting career recording his rise to stardom – including his Bronze Medal victory at London 2012.

Herald editor Ian Wood said: "Tom is part of a golden sporting generation in this city – we are immensely proud of what he and his peers have achieved."

like our facebook page to win a free bottle of Harrods champagne...

Simon Turner

View details

Print voucher

https://www.facebook.com/SimonTurnerShowrooms?ref=hl

Contact: 01395 200611

Valid until: Saturday, November 30 2013

Editor of the Western Morning News, Bill Martin, added: "We get told about so many young children with sporting dreams but he is an example of a young man who really has achieved that. He's a hero and a real inspiration."

Guests at the event had the opportunity to ask Tom questions.

One guest asked the teenager what Olympic sport he would do if it wasn't diving – to which Tom replied it would be a winter Olympic sport, the Bobsleigh.

He was also quizzed on the moment he requested a re-dive in the London 2012 final after he was dazed by camera flashes in the audience.

Replying to the question, he said: "I was doing a twisting dive and as I twisted I blinked and the flashes hit me." Tom was granted a re-dive by officials and scored an additional 20 points.

"I don't think it's ever happened before in an Olympic final," he told the guests. "It was terrifying."

The 18-year-old was then asked to name the top celebrities' phone numbers stored in his mobile phone – David Beckham being one of them. He said he also felt star struck at events such as the Pride of Britain awards where stars including "Baby Spice" asked for pictures with the Plymouth hero.

Speaking at the end of the night, Tom said: "I've had a really good night and the framed front pages of The Herald and Morning News are really nice, it's great to have a memento.

"It's back to reality now , back to school and back to training."