Daley, who was just 15 years and two months old when he captured the 10 metre platform title at the World Championships in Rome last July, is due to compete in his first meet since his success at the Foro Italico at the British Gas National Cup in Sheffield.

The teenager has revealed, however, that a routine scan on his father has discovered that the cancer he first suffered four years ago has returned, although he was trying to put a brave face on it.

Daley told today's Mail on Sunday: "I think Dad got a bit of a dodgy result.

"He just said it wasn’t looking so good.

"But he keeps me out of that kind of stuff because if he told me too much I don’t think that I would like it too much.

"You do worry, but it’s weird because he carries on as normal.

"If anyone asks him how he feels, he says about 19.

"That’s the kind of attitude my dad has to life.

"He’s always happy and a practical joker, which can be annoying.

"But it’s also good.

"He’s not a serious dad.

"He’s a fun dad."

Robert Daley confirmed that the cancer had returned, although he was confident of beating it again.

He said: "I’ll be there to see Tom go for gold in London in 2012, no question about it.

"The scan has shown signs of suggested growth.

"It wasn’t the result that I’d hoped for, but I look at life positively because there’s no other way of looking at it."

Robert is due to have another scan in April.

He said: "I’m not going to let it bother me.

"I’ll just keep on smiling.

"I don’t want Tom or [his brother] William or Ben thinking about it.

"I’m okay, as good as I can be."

Daley is due today for the first time  to attempt the "Twister", generally regarded as one of the hardest dives as he looks to increase the difficulty.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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