I’m A Celebrity’s Matty Lee on stepping out from Tom Daley’s shadow: ‘I want to build a name for myself’

The athlete is looking to make a name for himself (Picture: PA)

Olympic hero Matty Lee is preparing to head into the I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! camp – and he’s determined to put himself in the spotlight.

The British diver is best known for being Tom Daley’s diving partner at the 2020 Tokyo games, but he wants to ‘step out of Tom’s shadows in the new series. 

Matty, who is one of the 12 confirmed stars heading to Abergele’s Gwrych Castle this weekend, said he is grateful to ‘best friend’ Tom’s but is ready to make a name for himself.

Speaking to Metro.co.uk and other gathered press, Matty said: ‘I had the opportunity [to dive] with Tom, which was a dream come true and something I never thought would happen. Then luckily our relationship flourished and we became best friends.’

He added: ‘I don’t regret anything. I completely understand the whole “Tom’s partner” thing. But it would be nice to build a name for myself. Me and Tom were a partnership – I was 50% of the team and so was Tom. Without each other, we wouldn’t have been able to achieve what we did. So it’s nice, hopefully, to build a bit of a name for myself instead of being in the shadows.’

Matty, 23, also spoke about the advice that Tom gave him about coming into the public eye.

Matty and Tom are ‘best friends’ (Picture: PA / AP / ITV This Morning)

‘He basically said to just be myself and just enjoy it,’ the Leeds local said. ‘It’s nice to just do something different and also to get a name for myself as well. He’s very much supportive of that, as well. 

‘He’s always helped me try and build my name instead of just being Tom’s diving partner. That’s always nice and I’m really grateful for that.’

Matty and Tom trained together for months and took gold at the Men’s synchronised 10m platform event. It was Tom’s third Olympic medal after making his debut appearance at the age of 14, but his first gold.

Who will be king or queen of the castle this year? (Picture: PA)

The new series is now just days away, but not everyone is happy about the show’s return to Wales. 

More: I’m A Celebrity

Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly haven’t been given quite the warm welcome they would have wanted ahead of new episodes after a sign telling them to leave was put up near Gwrych Castle.

The Geordie duo confirmed their arrival at the location of this year’s camp on Tuesday on their social media channels.

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! starts on Sunday November 21 at 9pm on ITV and ITV Hub.

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