TOM DALEY is a global sporting superstar with a whole host of cities keen to claim Plymouth's teenage diving wonder as their own.

But they would be wasting their time as the 17-year-old Olympian (right) has no intention of leaving his beloved home town any time soon, telling Herald Sport 'I could never live anywhere else'.

The record-breaking Plymouth Diving star has become an iconic image not only for his sport but also next year's London Olympic Games.

Daley, who is studying for his A-levels at Plymouth College, is high profile and important to the GB Olympic promotion push.

Anyone who has travelled around the country, including the capital over the past few months, will have seen Plymouth's most famous sporting figure's portrait on bill-boards which point towards next summer's Games.

It is a no-brainer that signing up the hugely-gifted Daley with his easy-going and pleasing laid-back personality, would be a real coup for a university city anywhere in Britain.

But, claimed Daley, they will not lure him away from his Plymouth roots which go very, very deep for the former world diving champion.

He said with the multi-million pound state-of-the-art Life Centre set to open early next year, what's not to like?

Daley was unequivocal when asked by Herald Sport just how vital remaining in Plymouth was to his future – both professionally and personally.

"It's very, very important. I wouldn't like to live anywhere else," said Daley.

"I've got Andy Banks, my coach here, all my family live here, the new pool is coming and Plymouth College have been greatly supportive as have Plymouth University as well.

"To be honest, there's no reason for me to leave.

"Plymouth is a perfect place for me to be – it's away from all the hustle and bustle, but it's busy enough to be fun.

"I cannot imagine living anywhere else."

Daley paid tribute to his fellow citizens whom he said have lent him support and solace when needed.

That coming together and support was evident when the diver's greatest fan, his dad Rob, died in the summer after a long and brave battle with a brain tumour.

"Plymothians have been really supportive of me ever since I first started my career," added Daley.

"I think they like to see someone coming out of Plymouth who has been doing really well."

The proud Plymothian must content himself with home thoughts from abroad as today Daley heads down under for warm weather training with his Great Britain team-mates.

Daley will be joined in Australia by his Plymouth Diving club colleague and fellow Olympian Tonia Couch, along with city and GB coach Banks.

Also in the party for the three-week-plus stint in Oz is another high-profile Plymouth product, Sarah Barrow, who is now based in Leeds.

All four are very good friends, Daley and Couch were finalists at the Beijing Olympics and they along with Barrow are expected to be in the running for places in the GB squad for 2012.

Daley et al do not return to the UK until Christmas Eve and will miss not only his friends and family, but also The Herald's Sports Personality of the Year awards at the Pavilions on Monday.

The city schoolboy is a finalist in two categories – the main one and also the Champagne Moment, with his GB synchro partner Pete Waterfield.

"I know it is the 10th anniversary of The Herald's sports awards," said Daley.

"I think I've been to nearly every one of them since 2004.

"They are great evenings. It's a real shame we are not going to be there this time.

"I'm very disappointed to miss the occasion but we will be in Sydney and Adelaide for warm weather training."

Daley added: "It's been a tough year. I've learnt four more new dives now so they are on my list.

"At the moment I'm in a heavy training phase working towards doing my dives as well as I possibly can.

"I do enjoy it – it's something that needs to be done and I think with the new pool coming as well, that's going to be really exciting.

"I just can't wait to get all of that together really."

Daley said 2012 should be a fantastic year for Plymouth.

The Life Centre will bring a whole new freshness to the city and Plymouth Diving's programme.

"I think having a home Olympics is fantastic and the Life Centre is going to be great, too.

"It's going to bring lots of people to Plymouth to do diving and lots of competitions.

"With the Olympics in London, that will also bring increased interest in Plymouth.

"There are lots of people coming here for training camps. It's going to be great.

"I think people really do like watching diving on TV, but when you're at a pool and experience the atmosphere for yourself, it adds another dimension.

"Hopefully, with the new pool it will give Plymothians the chance to see top diving for themselves."