Who is Adam Peaty? Newly-single Team GB swimmer rose to glory by winning Olympic gold before showing off his dance moves on Strictly
Adam Peaty has been one of Team GB’s biggest names ever since he burst onto the scene at the 2016 Rio Olympics by winning his first gold medal.
Since then he has gone onto become a household name with appearances on shows including Strictly Come Dancing, and even has a YouTube channel documenting his exploits.
Now, as Adam announces that he is single after splitting from his girlfriend of three years Eirianedd Munroi, MailOnline takes a look at his decorated past.
Who is Adam Peaty? The swimmer star has become one of Team GB’s biggest names ever since he burst onto the scene at the 2016 Rio Olympics by winning his first gold medal
Adam was born in 1994 in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire to parents to Mark and Caroline Peaty, and despite his sensational swimming skills, at a young age he had a fear of water.
His grandmother Mavis Williams said in 2016: ‘He used to scream every time he got in the bath. And when his mum used to take him to the pool he used to scream there.
‘Then one day Caroline’s friend took him and it paid off. And he’s been swimming ever since.’
Over: The sportsman announced his split from his girlfriend Eirianedd Munroi on Tuesday after three years together
Adam joined Dove Valley Swimming Club at the age of nine, and quickly began to win races and set club records, and at the age of 12 he joined City of Derby Swimming Club after impressing coach Melanie Marshall with his breaststroke.
The sportsman openly admitted that he didn’t start to take his swimming seriously until he was 17, when he saw Craig Benson reach the semi-final of the 100m breaststroke at the London 2012 Olympics.
He told CNN in 2016: ‘It was then I realized I wasn’t taking it seriously enough.’
And Adam’s hard work paid off, as just two years later he won gold in the 100m breaststroke at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, before earning another in the 4x100m relay, and silver in the 50m breaststroke.
Aspirational: Adam was born in 1994 in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, but only began committing to his swimming at the age of 17
Rising star: After vowing to commit to his swimming training, Adam won his first gold medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games
In 2016, Adam became a nationwide star when he swam to victory in the 100m breaststroke at the Rio Olympics, along with a silver medal in the 4×100m medley.
The following year, at the World Championships in Budpest, Adam beat his own 100m breaststroke Championship Record, and the following year he won another gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.
Previously, Adam had been in a relationship with Anna Zair, and she proudly watched on when he won his Rio Olympics gold, and he began dating his now ex-partner Eiri in 2020 after they met on Tinder.
Competitive: Adam joined Dove Valley Swimming Club at the age of nine, and quickly began to win races and set club records, and at the age of 12 he joined City of Derby Swimming Club
Just two months after they started dating, Adam and Eiri revealed they were expecting their first child, and their son George was born that September.
Adam’s sporting success continued in 2021 when he competed at the Tokyo Olympics, and won Team GB their first gold medal of the competition in the 100m breaststroke.
Along with sparking elation from fans and loved ones watching the race unfold back in the UK, Adam also went viral with his expletive-laden post-race interview.
He famously declared: ‘It’s about who f****** wants it more… I’m just so f****** relieved! Sorry about the swearing, I’m very emotional.’
Storming to success: Just two years later, he became a nationwide star when he swam to victory in the 100m breaststroke at the Rio Olympics
Adam was awarded an MBE in the 2017 New Year’s Honours List, before being upgraded to an OBE in 2022 for services to swimming.
In 2021 Adam was also nominated for Sports Personality Of The Year, finishing in third place.
It’s also no surprise that he endures a gruelling exercise regime to keep himself in top shape for competition, including six days of training per week, and consuming up to 8000 calories a day.
Following last year’s Olympics, Adam revealed he was taking a year-long break from competition, and just days later he joined the lineup of Strictly Come Dancing.
Sensational: Adam’s sporting success continued in 2021 when he competed at the Tokyo Olympics, and won Team GB their first gold medal of the competition in the 100m breaststroke
Determined: It’s also no surprise that he endures a gruelling regime to keep himself in top shape, including six days of training per week, and consuming up to 8000 calories a day
He was paired up with professional dancer Katya Jones, and the pair set tongues wagging when they nearly-kissed during one of their steamy performances.
Adam was said to be ‘beside himself’ as trolls attacked girlfriend Eirianedd over his near-kiss with his dancing partner, with the insider adding that his girlfriend was ‘incredibly supportive’ of his time on the show.
Despite originally impressing with his flexible hips and dance moves, Adam only made it to week seven before being eliminated.
In May Adam announced that he would be pulling out of the 2022 World Championships after fracturing a bone in his foot, but surprised sports fans when he returned to competition at the Commonwealth Games earlier this month.
Together: In 2020 Adam began dating his now ex-girlfriend Eiri after they met on Tinder
Surprise! Just two months into their romance, Eiri fell pregnant, and their son George was born in September 2020
Taking to the floor! Following last year’s Olympics, Adam revealed he was taking a year-long break from competition, and just days later he joined the lineup of Strictly Come Dancing
Despite a shaky start, Adam landed the only gold he was yet to win in The Games, the 50m breaststroke.
And just weeks after his partner Eiri was seen proudly cheering him on, Adam announced on Tuesday that he had split from his partner after three years together.
Announcing the news via social media, Adam wrote: ‘Eiri and George, I’m sorry for letting you down. My only interest is for the well-being of our family at this difficult time.’
Eirianedd took to her own social media to announce the split, predicting she will face an ‘incredibly difficult’ future.
The split marked another instance of the doomed ‘Strictly curse’ striking once again, after Adam raised eyebrows with his chemistry with pro partner Katya on the dance floor last year.
Wow! He was paired up with professional dancer Katya Jones, and the pair set tongues wagging when they nearly-kissed during one of their steamy performances
Riding high! Earlier this summer Adam overcame a shake start, and defeat in the 100m, to win gold in the 50m breaststroke in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham
The sportsman wrote in the full caption of his statement: ‘Eiri and I have decided to go our separate ways. We have enjoyed a wonderful three years together, 2 of those with our gorgeous son George.
‘Our priority has always been to provide the happiest and healthiest home environment for him, and right now that means ending our romantic relationship.
‘This next chapter of my life is surely going to be an incredibly difficult one. I would appreciate that people would refrain from commenting, speculating or messaging.
‘I have shared so much of my life, but for now I’m choosing privacy and I hope that you will all respect that.
‘I love and appreciate you all so much and I’m so thankful for all the fun and opportunities you’ve given me.
‘I am going to be taking a break from social media, so goodbye for now. Thank you so much for everything.’
It’s over: And just weeks after his partner Eiri was seen cheering him on, Adam announced on Tuesday that he had split from his partner after three years together (pictured last year)
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