The appearance of former Olympic decathlete Daley Thompson on *Celebrity Big Brother* has ignited controversy, with accusations directed toward him regarding transphobic sentiments. The situation escalated when author J.K. Rowling publicly voiced her support for Thompson amidst the ongoing debate.
The initial spark occurred during the show’s first highlights episode, shortly after the housemates’ introduction. A misunderstanding arose when Danny Beard, winner of *RuPaul’s Drag Race UK*, mistakenly believed actor Mickey Rourke was addressing them directly. When Rourke clarified the situation, Thompson interjected with the remark, “Not everything is about you.” This comment visibly unsettled Beard, who later questioned its intended meaning.
“I’m overthinking it. I’m gonna totally make an effort with him tomorrow, that’s it,” Beard confided in fellow contestant Donna Preston.
Later, during a diary room session, Beard further expressed his concerns: “I think I’ve tried to make an effort with everybody, but I heard Daley make a comment like, ‘Well, not everything revolves around you,’ and, I don’t know if I’m overthinking it. I can sense or feel like he’s a bit wary of me, and that’s fine because maybe I’m also a little bit wary of him.”
Thompson’s stance on transgender issues is well-documented. In 2023, he penned an article for the Daily Mail arguing that allowing trans athletes to compete in women’s events would ultimately “finish” women’s sport. He has also been vocal in his support of Rowling, who shares similar views and has faced considerable backlash for her own statements on the matter.
“JK, if I may so familiar, I do wonder why you give them the oxygen they are so desperate for but I am so so glad you do. It’s a kick in the balls every time,” Thompson previously tweeted Rowling.
Rowling responded to the situation by publicly declaring her allegiance: “I am 100% #TeamDaley,” accompanied by a photograph of Thompson wearing a shirt proclaiming “REAL Women’s Day 10/10/2023.” Her support, given her own history of criticism regarding transgender issues, carries significant weight.
Despite the controversy, both Thompson and Rowling maintain that they are not transphobic. Thompson stated in his Daily Mail article:
“Like any decent human being, I fully support the right of everyone to present however they want, use the name and pronouns they feel reflect their true selves and live their lives as they wish.”
He further emphasized his commitment to safeguarding women’s sports, warning that a failure to ensure fair and safe play “we risk alienating a generation of female athletes – from the grassroots to the top.”
