Olympic hero Tom Daley has been unveiled as the person to give Channel 4 ’s annual alternative Christmas message which will be broadcast on December 25.
The 27-year-old gold medal winning athlete will discuss the pride he felt representing the UK at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics earlier this year – at the event that was delayed to this summer from last year due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
He is tipped to discuss homophobia in sport – with a focus on football – and will applaud athletes who have spoken out about their mental health battles.
Channel 4 always offer an alternative Christmas message which airs at 3pm on Christmas Day at the same time as a traditional Christmas message from Queen Elizabeth II also airs.
Channel 4’s director of programmes Ian Katz said: “Tom Daley’s Olympic triumph made him one of the faces of 2021 and we are delighted that he is using The Alternative Christmas Message as a platform to speak out and raise an issue close to his heart – and ours.
“It is shocking and depressing that that our most popular sporting league remains an environment in which no gay player feels able to openly be themselves and we hope Tom’s message will make a small contribution to changing that.”
Tom is expected to encourage closeted Premiere League footballers to step forward to declare they are gay in 2022.
His speech is expected to touch on the fact that Australian footballer Josh Cavallo became the first high profile out gay football star earlier this year.
Tom’s speech is expected to show him state: “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 am gay’.
“That person would inspire gay people everywhere, give hope to thousands of teenagers struggling with their sexuality and save the lives of countless young people who don’t currently feel like they have a place in this world.”
He will add: “In 2022 the World Cup is being held in the second most dangerous country for queer people, Qatar.
“Why are we allowing places that aren’t safe for all fans and all players to host our most prestigious sporting events?”
Tom will have some stiff competition to win a ratings battle against HM The Queen, however – as Her Majesty’s annual address is tipped to be the most watched broadcast on Christmas Day.
Bookmaker Coral have given odds of the Queen's Speech being the most watched broadcast on Christmas Day as 1-2.
That therefore means there is an implied probability of 67% that Her Majesty’s address will be the most watched TV programme in the UK.
Coral's Harry Aitkenhead declares: "We are anticipating that the Queen's Speech will top the TV ratings this Christmas Day, making it firmly odds on to be the most watched programme in the United Kingdom this 25th of December.”
The Alternative Christmas Message airs on Christmas Day at 5pm on Channel 4 and All 4.
