Fred Sirieix ‘bursting with pride’ after daughter’s diving bronze at Olympics

Fred Sirieix has said he is “bursting with pride” and struggling to stop crying after his daughter won a bronze medal in the women’s synchronised 10m platform dive at the Paris Olympics.

The First Dates star, 52, cheered with both hands in the air as Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix and her teammate Lois Toulson secured third place at the Aquatics Centre on Wednesday.

Sirieix took to social media after the diving event to toast a glass of bubbly to his daughter’s and Toulson’s success.

“This is the most beautiful feeling,” he said in a video on X.

“I am bursting with pride, bursting with happiness and joy. It feels like I’m going to explode.

“Girls, well done. Thank you very much for this amazing day.”

The French TV star and maitre d raised his glass to the screen before finishing: “To you.”

Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix and Lois Toulson on the podium (John Walton/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - John Walton

In a follow-up post, Sirieix said: “I’m still crying. Thank you so much for all your messages. It means a lot. Sorry I can’t reply to all. Merci xxx”

He is part of the BBC’s presenting team at the games.

Ahead of the competition, he said he would be “too nervous” to commentate on air while his daughter competed.

He made the comments in an interview with Radio Times in which he said: “I’ll be at the pool, watching Andrea, not working, I don’t want to comment on my daughter diving. It’s too close to my heart.

“I’ll be speaking and commentating post-event when everything’s done. I want to enjoy it. Regardless of what happens, there will be tears.”