Tom Daley’s BBC documentary about his surrogacy journey is being scrapped by bosses after he was unable to film during his Olympic training session.
A BBC documentary set to focus on Tom Daley’s surrogacy journey has been scrapped by TV bosses.
The 28-year-old diver gave birth to a son with husband Dustin Lance Black in 2018. Replacement but plans for the program were shelved after he was unable to film alongside his Olympic training.
Tom, who recently directed two documentaries for the BBC, would have focused on the laws surrounding surrogacy in the UK as well as his own journey to fatherhood.
Put on hold: A BBC documentary meant to focus on Tom Daley’s surrogacy journey has been scrapped by TV bosses
A BBC spokesman told The Sun: “Due to Tom’s sporting commitments leading up to the 2020 Olympics, he was unable to film.
‘Given the topicality of the subject and examining the arguments for and against changing the law, he agreed with the BBC that it would have been impossible to complete the film in a satisfactory manner which accurately reflected the situation at the time.’
A source added: “Observers have been scratching their heads as it was odd to reveal plans only to have them shelved.
Parenthood: The 28-year-old diver welcomed a son with husband Dustin Lance Black in 2018, but plans for the program were shelved after he was unable to film during Olympic training
“Tom would have had an idea of what it means to make a documentary and to train. After all, he attended the games in 2008, 2012 and 2016.”
Web has reached out to representatives from the BBC and Tom Daley for further comment.
Tom won gold at the 2021 Olympics alongside fellow scuba diver Matty Lee in the 10m synchro event after coming close to the grand prize on several occasions.
His documentary was first announced by the BBC in 2018, with Tom McDonald, BBC Head of Commissioning, Natural History and Specialist Factual, saying at the time: “Surrogacy is one of the most complex issues in modern society and the laws that govern it are around world radically different.
“As new fathers through surrogacy, Tom and Lance are both keen to explore all the nuances surrounding this very emotional subject. I’m thrilled that Tom will be our guide in this deeply personal and intelligent film.’
In the film, Tom would have explored how surrogacy works in the UK, where it is illegal to advertise or pay surrogates except for reasonable expenses.
He would also have traveled to California, where commercial surrogacy with contracts between surrogate and intended parents is more the norm, as well as a European country where surrogacy is completely illegal.
Programme: Tom, who has recently made two documentaries for the BBC, would have focused on the laws surrounding surrogacy in the UK as well as his own journey to fatherhood
Tom and Dustin are fathers to their four-year-old son Robert, whom they welcomed into the world in June 2018.
The television personality has admitted his offspring are begging him to quit knitting, a favorite hobby of the athlete.
Tom enjoys sewing woolen clothes for Robbie, but admits his enthusiasm isn’t always shared by the little boy.
He recently told Prima magazine: “I love making things for my son Robbie.
“I made him so many sweaters and cardigans. It’s gotten to the point where sometimes I’ll pull out the needles and he’ll say, “Dad, stop knitting.”
“But he’s been asking for a hat for a while, so that’s my next project.”
Tom rose to fame for his knitting after sitting in the stands during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in Japan and creating a jumper for Team GB.
Family: The television personality recently admitted his son is asking him to quit knitting, a favorite hobby of the athlete (pictured with husband Dustin)