Olympic swimmer Tom Dean

British swimmer Tom Dean has confirmed his participation in the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing, seemingly breaking the show's confidentiality rules. The BBC typically keeps contestant identities secret until an official announcement, but Dean made his statement after competing in the men's 200 metres individual medley at the Paris Olympics. He expressed excitement about the opportunity to try something new and plans to seek advice from fellow swimmer Adam Peaty, who appeared on the show in 2021. Dean, a three-time Olympic champion, acknowledged his challenges with dancing compared to swimming but is looking forward to the experience. As the first contestant to announce their involvement for the 2024 edition, fans are questioning whether this constitutes a breach of protocol. The series is set to launch in September, and the BBC usually reveals participants through a coordinated media strategy.