Tom Daley: A 'Massive Weight' Was Lifted Off My Shoulders When I Came Out

Tom Daley: A 'Massive Weight' Was Lifted Off My Shoulders When I Came Out
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 27: Tom Daley of Great Britain looks on after the Men's 10m Platform semi finals on day three of the FINA/NVC Diving World Series at the London Aquatics Centre on April 27, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 27: Tom Daley of Great Britain looks on after the Men's 10m Platform semi finals on day three of the FINA/NVC Diving World Series at the London Aquatics Centre on April 27, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

British Olympic diver Tom Daley tells the BBC that a " massive weight" was lifted off of his shoulders after he decided to come out in a YouTube video last December.

"The public support has been overwhelming," Daley, 20, said. "Right now, all I concentrate on is diving ... I don't have any other worries. I'm happy with life, I'm happy with diving."

He went on to note, "If I spent my whole life worrying about what people thought, I wouldn't be a diver and I wouldn't be where I am today."

Daley, who is dating Oscar-winning "Milk" screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, didn't specify in the original video whether he identified as "bisexual" or "gay." In April, he spoke out again, clarifying that he is "a gay man now."

He also used the interview to address media speculation that he was planning to retire from competitive diving.

"I'm not retiring," he said. "I've no idea where that came from."

It's been quite a year for Daley. Earlier this month, Britain's Attitude Magazine named him the "Sexiest Man in the World," over David Beckham and Zac Efron.

And if these steamy photos are any indication, Daley's 2015 calendar is sure to be a hot seller this holiday season.

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