Rob Daley

[peasepud 59]

Teenage British Olympic diver Tom Daley's father Rob has died after losing his battle with cancer.

 

The 17-year-old's agent confirmed to BBC Radio Devon that Rob Daley, 40, had passed away on Friday evening.

 

Rob's health had deteriorated since February when it was confirmed that a brain tumour had returned.

 

A statement from British Swimming read: "Rob, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2006, passed away peacefully with his family at his side."

 

Rob, who gave up his electrician's business to follow Tom to events around the world, watched his then 15-year-old son become Britain's first individual diving world champion, when he won the 10m platform event in Rome in 2009.

 

Plymouth-born Tom followed that success with double Commonwealth gold in the 10m platform and 10m synchro event in Delhi last year.

 

Click to play

 

Dad causes blushes for gold-winner Daley

 

However, Rob was not with Tom in India in October because he had been undergoing chemotherapy and doctors had advised him not to travel.

 

He watched events unfold on television and was phoned by Tom "within a minute" of him winning gold.

 

Tom was with his father on Friday and wrote on Twitter: "I love you so much Dad."

 

The British Swimming statement added: "[Rob's] health has been fluctuating since February but he continued to fight until the last day, defying doctors' expectations.

 

"The family have asked for respect to their privacy during this very difficult period."

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/diving/13583152.stm

[ewerk 30682]

I remember him being something of an embarrassing dad, didn't realise he was fighting cancer at the time which may explain some of it.