The athlete told The Mirror: ‘I was terrified the first time I jumped off the board. I was eight and I didn’t want to do it. I went feet first.’
Tom admits that the sport can be very challenging. ‘As people go higher they start to change technique and bail out.’
The show is set to return to our screens with a new bunch of celebrities trying their hand at diving.
TOWIE’s Gemma Collins and TV presenter Michaela Strachan are both set to join the line up.
Tom said: ‘I think people love the show because it’s fun… and it has a great atmosphere with lots of celebrities. It’s like watching a pool party!’
‘The standard is so much higher this year and it’s going to be great. My advice to the contestants is not to get worried.’
Tom has his eye on one celebrity he’d like to see on the diving board…
‘The celebrity I’d most love to see do it is Simon Cowell – if we can find trunks high enough!’
Hollyoaks star Gemma Merna, who will also be competing in this year’s series, will be welcoming Tom's advice.
She said: ‘I have a fear of going underwater and have never put my face in the water.’
She continued: ‘But I like to challenge fears and get over them. I have also tried a cut-out swimsuit, but my boobs are going to have to be strapped in because you hit the water so hard it could come off!’
Splash! returns January 4th on ITV at 7.20pm.