Trending worldwide on Twitter, headlines on the news, welcomed as a returning hero on the late Olympics show. Don't get me wrong, I'm really pleased for the lad, and I cheered his bronze medal just as much as all the others we've won. But the other GB bronze medalists aren't getting anywhere near the same coverage. It's as though he's won a gold in one of the blue ribbon events not a bronze in the diving. I dunno, I guess I've missed something, but I really don't think he should be sharing the headlines with Mo Farah. Not his fault like and well done Tom, I just don't understand it.
It is because he stirs a great number of loins spanning several age groups and sexual orientations. And you could take him home to meet your Mam. I'm not proud of it, but he tends to bring a bit of the Ben Alnwick out of me. Talented lad no doubt, but a bit of a bizarre cult, I agree.
Face a dog wunt lick, my young 13 year old said tonight "is that him who all the girls are on about at school? He should work out his tiny pigeon chest a bit...." Harsh those school kids these days.
He was one of the faces of the games and had recently gone through the loss of his dad. As (still) one of the youngest Olympians he does deserve some sympathy and support, but no more than some of the others out there.
This article I think, tends to provide the reasons why. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/19230780 And, as you say - well done the lad!
I agree, his popularity started when he was very young. This initial popularity was driven by the press and with the loss of his father there's a human story which the journos love. I think he did amazingly well to win a bronze in a very competitive event.