The 30-year-old Olympian - won silver in the 10 metre platform synchronised event at the Paris Games this summer with 24-year-old Noah Williams - found it "scary" to enter a new decade this year because he'd always assumed people in his sport who were in their 30s were "ancient".

He told the Times magazine: "Turning 30 was scary. When I saw 30 year olds diving, I thought, they need to give it a rest. They would complain, 'My back…' Now I feel bad for all the people I thought were ancient.

"When I ordered a margarita the other day, I was asked for my ID. I thought, I’ll take that!

"But when I got asked if I was my synchro partner Noah’s dad, I was like, 'No, I’m not his blooming dad.' "

Tom announced his retirement from diving after the Olympics and he's looking forward to spending more time with husband Dustin Lance Black and their children Robbie, six, and 18-month-old Phoenix.

He said: "In retirement, I want to do more travelling with the kids. I’ve travelled all my life for diving competitions. We’re planning on doing a bit of rail travel around Europe now that I can. It’s a lot easier to travel around Europe by train than in the US."

And the sportsman admitted he is ready to start the "rest of [his] life".

He said: "I have to hang up my trunks and start the rest of my life. I’ve been the oldest on the team for a long time now."

Tom and his husband have found having two children a big adjustment.

He said: "The change from one to two children is huge. Robbie [his elder son, six] has just started getting to the age where he is like a human being. It’s never easy but it’s a lot easier than the newborn and toddler stage."