Tom Daley to host TV travel adventure series on ITV

Tom Daley: Marked out as a future media star after posing with Kate Moss at a photo shoot for Italian Vogue aged 15. TV career beckons after coaching role on hit celebrity diving show Splash! despite concern over outside commitments (AFP)

Olympic diving star Tom Daley is swapping backflips for backpacks as he heads around the world for a new TV series.

The bronze medallist is to head off for an adventure with his best friend Sophie Lee for the series in which he takes a whistle-stop tour of various tourist destinations.

During the ITV2 series he will visit countries such as Thailand, Japan, Australia, Morocco and New Zealand during six weeks of travelling.

Earlier this year Daley hooked up with ITV to coach a number of famous faces in celebrity diving show Splash! with Eddie "the Eagle" Edwards winning the series.

The 19-year-old will be seen heading to hostels and taking overnight train journeys as he takes a typical student backpacking trip. He will also take on challenges such as bungee jumping, as well as meeting up with friends such as Saturdays star Mollie King along the way.

Daley said: "I can't wait to get away on my trip. Diving and training are my first love, but I am looking forward to a break from the norm and discovering more about places I've never had the chance to explore before. And to do it all with my best friend will be amazing."

ITV director of digital channels Angela Jain said: "Tom's career as a diver has captivated the nation. We hope this show will give people the chance to see the teenager behind the trunks as he enjoys his global backpacking adventure."

PA