Jack Laugher’s girlfriend shrugs off claims that Olympian boyfriend and his diving partner are gay
THE girlfriend of Olympic gold medal-winner Jack Laugher has dismissed claims he and diving partner Chris Mears are gay, saying: “They’re just best friends.”
Jack, 21, and Chris 23, who won gold in the men’s 3metre synchronised springboard event, have got tongues wagging because of their “bromance”.
The duo credit Wednesday’s victory to their close relationship — they share a flat and mortgage and claim they are “in sync with everything”.
Both appeared on the cover of Gay Times at the end of 2013.
But Jack’s girlfriend, make-up artist Jessica Auty, 21, said: “People are always assuming they are a couple because they spend so much time together.
“They are just the best of friends. They have very similar personalities and they love watching The Mighty Boosh and things like that.”
Jessica has been with Jack for nine months. Chris is single after breaking up with his long-term girlfriend last year.
Since the pair’s win they have been bombarded with marriage proposals and made the subject of social media users’ fantasies.
But Jack has acknowledged his appeal to people of all sexualities.
He said: “The appeal of diving to both straight and gay people is huge. You’ve got fit men in great shape competing in almost nothing.
“We are getting the fans and type of following that never would have happened six or eight years ago.
“It is great for the sport because having a packed- out venue is better than an emotionless competition.”
But Jess, of Mirfield, West Yorks, said: “I’m not worried. He takes it all in his stride.
“I wouldn’t say he’s used to it, but he’d love to know he has inspired some people.
“His life is going to completely change now. It’s going to be amazing for him.”
Jack left his studies and turned pro three years ago.
He left the family home in Harrogate, North Yorks, for a flat in Leeds he now shares with Chris.
The gamble paid off and Olympic team-mate and bronze medal-winner Tom Daley says he is the best 3m diver in the world.
And their success means Jack’s dad David, 57, now has a job on his hands — building something for them to display their medals.
He said: “I’m so proud of them both. They deserved the win as they were consistently brilliant.
“They’ve worked so hard the last few years and it has paid off.”
“One of my assignments is to go to his flat and attach a bar to the wall to display his medals on.
“It used to be up at ours until he moved but he never put it up again, so it’s going up this weekend.”
Meanwhile, Wednesday night’s win was especially poignant for Chris.
His mum died of breast cancer when he was just two years old.
Meanwhile, Wednesday night’s win was especially poignant for Chris.
His mum died of breast cancer when he was just two years old.
But he credits her for his “fighting spirit” — which he needed after contracting the deadly Epstein-Barr virus six years ago.
Chris, originally of Reading, lost five pints of blood and was given a five per cent chance of living.
He had his spleen removed and several fits also left his life hanging in the balance.
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He said: “It made me think about what I wanted to do with my life and what I wanted to achieve.
“I’ve come from death’s door to here, so yeah, I’m pretty proud. The dream has happened. We’re ecstatic at how we’ve done.
“It will be a moment in time that will never be forgotten. Especially there with my best mate Jack.
“We’re really close. It was an incredible feeling to win.”
While in recovery, and after being told he might never dive again, Chris began producing music from his bedroom.
He has since performed at festivals, supporting Labrinth and Pendulum, and has signed to Universal.
His agent is the manager of former X Factor judge and singer Nicole Scherzinger, 38 — now a pal.
But Chris said: “Music is not just a hobby, it is what I want to do in my career when I finish diving.”
Meanwhile, Jack claims he has solved the mystery of how Rio’s Olympic pool turned from blue to green.
He said: “We’ve got some big plastic boards that go into the water just for decoration and effect.
“They’re blue below the waterline, and above the waterline it’s green.
“We think maybe a load of ink has run into the pool.”