Former British Olympic champion Matty Lee, who partnered Tom Daley, has retired from diving.
Lee, 26, first competed as a senior in 2014 and he was a regular presence at Commonwealth, World and European games over the following the decade.
His high watermark came in his sole Olympics appearance in Tokyo in 2021 when the Leeds-born star and Daley earned gold in the men’s synchronised 10m platform event.
That had come after they first began an impressive partnership in 2018 working under coach Jane Figueiredo, with the pair also securing podium finishes in World and European Championships.
In total, Lee won two silver medals at the World Championship and was a one-time European and Commonwealth champion.
However, in March 2024, Lee underwent spinal surgery which ruled him out of the Paris Olympics.
Former British Olympic champion Matty Lee, who partnered Tom Daley, has retired from diving
Lee and Daley won gold in the men’s synchronised 10m platform at the Tokyo Games in 2021
Lee had previously turned to adult website OnlyFans to help supplement his diving income
And now, Lee, who had turned to adult website OnlyFans to supplement his diving income, has announced that he is retiring from the sport.
Sharing an emotional post on Instagram, he shared a series of snaps from his career and paid tribute to all of those that helped him along the way.
‘After 20 years in the sport, it’s time for me to step away from diving,’ he said. ‘This decision hasn’t been easy but after losing my dad in 2022, I struggled to find the same passion I once had. He was my ‘why’.
‘Then came injuries, surgeries and the realisation that I don’t want to be a broken man moving forward.
‘Diving has given me the world, literally. The people I’ve met, the places I’ve traveled, the memories I’ve made. That’s what I’ll cherish the most.’
He went onto express his gratitude to several figures including his dad, mum, brother, coach and Daley before he added: ‘From the first coach who sparked my love for diving to the last who guided me through my final chapter, everything I’ve achieved is because of you.
‘Your support, knowledge, and dedication never went unnoticed. To my closest friends. You never pulled me away from my sport, you lifted me up through it.
‘Your support, laughter and belief in me meant more than you’ll ever know.
Within his emotional post, Lee went on to express his gratitude to all who had supported him
Lee and Daley (right) formed a formidable partnership from 2018 under coach Jane Figueiredo
‘To my fans and followers, thank you for your unwavering support, through every dive, every challenge, every triumph. You made this journey even more special.’
Lee continued: ‘And finally to the doubters. Thank you, too. You kept me hungry. You made me push harder. And in the end, I proved to myself that I could achieve more than I ever imagined.
‘What’s next? Honestly, I don’t know. And that’s both terrifying and exciting. But I do know this. There’s more to life than diving and I’m ready for it.’
Lee, who was also awarded an MBE in 2022 for his services to diving, had opened up on his move into OnlyFans last year.
Reflecting on his move to the platform, he said: ‘I have not been hacked, I have not been scammed, see for yourself.’
According to Instinct Magazine, Lee had also said: ‘Remember I’m a Team GB diver not a (porn star).
‘So everything will be SFW (safe for work) and a place where I can interact with you all.’
The 26-year-old previously appeared on I’m a Celebrity…. Get me Out of Here! in 2021 and finished in fifth place after lasting 18 days in the jungle.
