Tom Daley will call for a Premier League footballer to come out as gay next year, during Channel 4 ’s Alternative Christmas Message.
The Olympic gold medallist, 27, will celebrate Australian player Josh Cavallo, the only out top flight player, saying: “Your courage is amazing.”
Tom, who knits during his speech, says: “Think for a moment about the number of players too scared to speak up, and how lonely that must be.
“Nearly 7% of people in the UK identify as gay or bisexual... there are around 500 Premier League players.
“Statistically there are enough players for three football teams.
“At least one gay man at every club in the Premier League, living a lie.
“If I had one Christmas wish it would be that next year that changes. That one impossibly brave Premier League player steps forward and says, ‘I’m gay’. That person would give hope to thousands of teenagers struggling with their sexuality.”
Diver Tom will say how “incredibly lucky” he feels that he felt supported by the Olympic team as a gay man.
He concludes his speech by saying: “We can make this country the most accepting, the most inclusive, the most progressive country on Earth.”
Others who have delivered the alternative to the Queen’s speech include whistleblower Edward Snowden and The Simpsons.
C4 director of programmes Ian Katz said: “It is shocking our most popular league remains an environment in which no gay player feels able to openly be themselves.”
- The Alternative Christmas Message is on Christmas Day at 5pm on Channel 4 and All 4.
