First Dates host Fred Sirieix pays heartfelt tribute to Olympics star daughter Andrea after emotional BBC interview
FIRST DATES host Fred Sirieix paid tribute to daughter Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix after her sixth place in the final of the women’s 10 metre platform at the Olympic Games.
Diver Spendolini-Sirieix, 19, claimed bronze in the women’s 10m synchro last week alongside Lois Toulson.
But she was unable to follow that up with a medal in the individual event as she had to settle for sixth.
Following her gutsy display, the teenager broke down in tears and revealed the struggles she has gone through to get to the Olympics, bravely admitting she “didn’t want to be alive” three years ago.
And dad Sirieix, 52, host of popular Channel 4 reality show First Dates, took to social media to offer some lovely words to his daughter.
Speaking on X, he shared her interview and simply added: “My love .”
But he then offered a more lengthy message on Instagram alongside several throwback photos.
He said: “Thank you for this incredible adventure and the inspiration Andrea. What a beautiful moment!
“You and your brother are the best thing I have ever done and will ever do #lavieestbelle.”
After Spendolini-Sirieix’s sixth place, dad Fred told the BBC: “What I love about my daughter [Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix] is her positivity.
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“Today she didn’t make it to the podium, tonight she is going to have a quiet night, and tomorrow she is back to being happy, smiley Andrea.
“Just enjoying life, enjoying Paris, and enjoying the moment.
“That is Andrea. And that is beautiful because it is about balance. It is about knowing who you are and making the most of life, and that is what she is doing. So I am very happy for her.”
His comments came after Andrea said: “Obviously it wasn’t the result that I wanted, but I’m not even upset with the competition.
“The girls dove amazing, they dove better than me today and It’s because they work really hard. As you said, it wasn’t meant to be.
“Genuinely, I’m not trying to be macho or anything, I am not upset with my performance.
“Three years ago I didn’t even want to be alive and so today I am just happy that I’m alive, I’m breathing and I’ve got my family here to support me.”
She added: “My mum was like ‘just keep smiling, we’re proud of you and we’re here to see you’.
“And at the end of the day that’s all I can ask for.”
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