British Olympic diver Tom Daley has revealed he is in a relationship with a man and "couldn't be happier".

The 19-year-old made the announcement in a self-made Youtube clip in which he said he wished to put an end to “rumours and speculation” regarding his private life.

Daley said: “Come spring this year my life changed massively when I met someone and they made me feel so happy, so safe and everything just feels great - and that someone is a guy.

“It did take me by surprise a little bit. It was always in the back of my mind that something like that could happen, but it wasn’t until spring this year that something just clicked, it felt right... my whole world just changed there and then. “Of course I still fancy girls but right now I’m dating a guy and I couldn’t be happier.”

The 19-year-old, whose father Rob Daley died in May 2011 following a battle with brain cancer, admitted the relationship had taken him "by surprise a little bit".

“Is it a big deal? I don’t think so.

“I wanted to say something and I feel like now I’m ready and I wanted to do it.

“People will think ‘What will your dad say?’ or ‘What would your dad have said?’. He always said to me ‘As long as your happy, I’m happy’, and right now I couldn’t be happier.”

Daley said friends and relatives he had told about his relationship had been “so supportive”, although there were “mixed opinions” from some family members.

“Lots of them didn’t believe it,” he said.

“Lots of them wanted me to keep it quiet, some said ‘Why don’t you do a statement? Why don’t you do a magazine cover? Why don’t you do a TV interview?’.

“I didn’t want to get my words twisted. I wanted to put an end to all the rumours and speculation.

“I’m still Tom. I still want to win an Olympic gold medal at Rio 2016 for Great Britain. I’m still as motivated as ever to do that.”

Daley posted a link to the video to his 2.4 million Twitter followers, with the message: “Got something I need to say...not been an easy decision to make, hope you can support me!”

PA