BBC Celebrity Traitors star shares huge 'risk' as he opens up on career first

Celebrity Traitors star Tom Daley has shared a huge "risk" as he opened up on a career first.

Following his recent stint as a Faithful on the popular BBC reality programme, the Olympic champion diver is now venturing into uncharted territory.

The 31-year-old has secured his first major presenting position on Game of Wool: Britain's Best Knitter, which is presently broadcasting on Channel 4.

The programme features ten amateur knitters battling it out in a succession of spectacular individual and ambitious group challenges as they hope to become the nation's inaugural television knitting champion.

Throughout each instalment, the knitters are tasked with producing an array of distinctive creations and ambitious projects, ranging from garments and accessories to household items and furnishings - all crafted from wool, reports Wales Online.

The contestants' innovative methods and craftsmanship are scrutinised and assessed by specialists Di Gilpin and Shelia Greenwell, renowned for their knitting contributions to fashion powerhouses including Chanel, Vivienne Westwood, Paul Smith and Nike.

During a recent press event for the programme, Tom disclosed: "When it first came to me through my management, I kind of thought they were joking because I was like, 'Wait, what? A knitting TV show?' I was like, 'This is a dream to talk about knitting and crochet, and try and find Britain's best knitter and crocheter.'

"But the team at Hello Halo [Productions] were fantastic when I got to meet them first and then Channel for also taking the risk of doing a show about knitting and crochet, and doing something that hasn't been done before in that way.

"Of course, you've got the likes of other slower watch TV, like the Sewing Bee and Bake Off and things like that. Knitting and crochet [are hobbies] people would consider niche, but I actually think way more people than you would imagine have some kind of affiliation to knitting or crochet. It's nostalgic."

Tom continued by revealing how challenging he found bidding farewell to participants every week, explaining: "It was awful. Making a mistake, it's not like Bake off where you can just bake another cake. It's a long time to undo things, restart things.

"It was really sad because you got to know the contestants so well and you fall in love with them.

"I learned so much from the contestants and I think that was very difficult. But then some of the things they create as we go on, you'll see is just so brilliant and it blew me away what they were able to create in such a short amount of time."

Discussing what he hopes audiences will gain from the programme, Tom added: "I hope that it shows that knitting and crochet can be for everyone and it's not just the stereotypical grandma hobby.

"The amazing thing is it's so portable. You've got two sticks and a ball of yarn, or a hook and a ball of yarn. You can take it with you anywhere, and I just love it."

Game of Wool: Britain's Best Knitter is available to stream on Channel 4