Controversial Olympian in Advanced Talks for Celebrity Big Brother as Bosses Aim to Spark Drama with Younger Castmates

Olympic Legend Daley Thompson in Talks for Celebrity Big Brother
By Laura Fox for MailOnline
Published: 23:52 GMT, 5 March 2025 | Updated: 23:54 GMT, 5 March 2025

[Insert Image 1: Daley Thompson at a recent event, caption: Daley Thompson, 66, is reportedly in advanced talks to join Celebrity Big Brother (pictured last month).]

Double Olympic gold medalist Daley Thompson is reportedly in advanced negotiations to join the upcoming season of Celebrity Big Brother (CBB) on ITV. The 66-year-old decathlon champion, known for his outspoken personality, could bring a mix of nostalgia and controversy to the show.

A Clash of Generations
Sources claim producers hope Thompson’s unfiltered views will spark drama with younger housemates. “Daley is notoriously unwoke and provocative,” a source told The Sun. “While younger stars may not recognize him, older viewers will see him as a major signing.”

Thompson’s legendary career includes back-to-back Olympic decathlon golds in 1980 (Moscow) and 1984 (Los Angeles), along with six Commonwealth Games titles. His recent autobiography and documentary have reignited public interest in his life, from his humble beginnings to his rebellious streak.

[Insert Image 2: Thompson celebrating a 1984 Olympic victory, caption: Daley Thompson dominated the decathlon at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.]

Controversial Past
Thompson has never shied from controversy. In the 1980s, he insinuated fellow athlete Carl Lewis was gay, and in 2012, he joked about a misspelled tattoo by quipping the artist “must have been Irish.” His candid nature and reputation as a “womanizer” — he once claimed “any woman only has to sit on a bed I’ve slept in to get pregnant” — could make him a polarizing housemate.

Personal Life Highlights
Thompson’s personal life has also drawn attention. He married childhood sweetheart Patricia Quinlan in 1987, with whom he shares three children. After their split, he had two more sons with partner Lisa Clayton. Though now in a new relationship, he vows never to marry again.

[Insert Image 3: Thompson with family, caption: Daley with ex-partner Lisa Clayton and their sons. He has five children from past relationships.]

Tragic Childhood
Thompson’s resilience stems from a turbulent upbringing. His father, a Nigerian diplomat, was murdered in a love-triangle shooting when Daley was young. “He wasn’t a good father, so his death didn’t affect me deeply,” Thompson reflected.

CBB Lineup Buzz
If confirmed, Thompson will join rumored contestants like Love Island’s Chris Hughes and Coronation Street’s Jack P. Shepherd. His entry promises a blend of nostalgia, rivalry, and unfiltered opinions — a combination sure to captivate audiences.

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Daley Thompson and CBB for comment.

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