OLYMPIAN Tom Dean was left squirming as he was forced to swerve a slew of Strictly Come Dancing questions after accidentally confirming he’d signed up.
The Team GB swimmer – who broke a huge show rule by admitting his spot before the official announcement – was keeping schtum in a new radio chat.
The Sun was first to reveal how the Paris 2024 Gold Medal winner, who triumphed in the 200m Freestyle Relay, would be taking to the dance floor.
Yet just a day later three-time Olympic champion Tom confirmed our story on-air.
Now he has been forced to be more reserved during an interview on Capital Breakfast via a live link to his base in Paris.
Host Jordan North said: “It’s gone a bit quiet in Paris!”
Co-presenter Kemi Rodgers then noted the sports ace’s awkward appearance and commented: “Look at his lips.”
Tom left a huge pause and said: ‘I’m just focussed on enjoying the Olympic moment right now and spending a lot of time with my teammates, and I’ll see what the summer holds.”
Co host Chris Stark replied: ‘Yeah, exactly. As I say, Tom just says it how it is. And I think what’s hilarious is I never think you’re meant to blab these things too early. You can get in loads of trouble for it, so I think he’s just being super professional by not giving anything away on that.’
Tom, giving a nod to his former blunder, added: “Of course.
“Absolutely. All about the Olympics.”
Jordan – who confirmed he wouldn’t be taking part – referred to speculation he would be as he quipped: “I might see you there.”
Tom, trying to keep his cover, added: “I don’t know what you’re on about, I don’t know what you’re on about.”
During last week’s TV chat Tom told how he would be following in the fancy footsteps of Team GB team-mate Adam Peaty, who finished ninth on the BBC show in 2021, alongside professional dancer Katya Jones.
He said: “Naturally you want to take a break after you’ve had a full Olympic cycle and the opportunity arose.
WITH Strictly's 20th anniversary special airing in September, The Sun takes a look at which celebs have been confirmed so far:
Morning Live star Dr Punam Krishan.
80s legend and singer Toyah Willcox.
Opera singer Wynne Evans
JLS singer JB Gill.
Comedian Chris McCausland.
“I thought it would be really exciting to try something a bit different.
“I’ll be doing that and straight back into training after it. It’s something to look forward to.”
He continued: “I’ve not seen (Adam) yet. He did brilliantly on it so I’ll be getting a few tips from him, for sure.”
He added: “I don’t do too well out of water in gravity sports.
“I’m throwing myself into it and I know what a hard day’s training is like so I’m looking forward to it. I guess we’ll find out.
“It’s something to look forward to and once I finish this, back home, relax a bit with the family and then we crack on end of August time. It’s exciting.”
Stars of the show usually don’t comment on whether they are taking part until the official line-up is revealed by the BBC.
Bosses go to great lengths to keep their line-up under wraps each year – including using code names and top secret locations for shooting.
A host of famous faces have been confirmed for the show including JLS boyband star JB Gill, Eighties singer Toyah Wilcox, comedian Chris McCausland and opera legend Wynne Evans.
