Early years and the Jaws epiphany
Mark Foster, born in Billericay, Essex, in 1970, is a former competitive swimmer who won 51 major international medals, including six world titles, two Commonwealth Games golds and 11 European titles. He represented the UK at five Olympic Games and broke eight world records. Now a BBC commentator, his memoir My Double Life is out now.
Reflecting on a childhood photo taken in a Southend park, Foster recalls being with his sisters and mother. He describes his mum as the driving force behind his early ambition, getting up at 5am to make him breakfast and drive him to the pool. His love of sport came from her.
At age six, after watching Jaws, Foster imagined a shark chasing him in the pool, which he says made him a sprinter and shaped his elite sports career.
Rebellious youth and hidden sexuality
Foster admits he was naughty as a child, which he used to hide his homosexuality. He had a brief pyromaniac phase, once setting fire to a toilet roll at school, but stopped after the wall caught fire. Growing up, he received subliminal messages that being gay was bad, with no role models. Watching Thunderball with his sisters, he commented that Sean Connery was good-looking, and his sisters told him not to say that.
At 13, he won a scholarship to Millfield boarding school. Without his mother's support, he struggled with confidence and was eventually asked to leave after falling out with the coach. He was later expelled from Kelly College for being disruptive.
Despite his behaviour, he succeeded in swimming, breaking the British 50m freestyle record at 15. The press called him "The Punk Upstart" due to his two earrings and tattoo of an English rose and Olympic rings.
Crossroads and a turning point
After his first Olympics in Seoul in 1988, Foster worked as a courier, groundsman, lifeguard and glazier, thinking his swimming career was over. At 21, he met his first boyfriend, Vince, who offered to support him for a year so he could focus on swimming. This safety net put his career back on track.
In 2008, after retiring, Foster appeared on Strictly Come Dancing. He loved the experience but feared the press would force him to come out. He had already come out to his mother in the 1990s, who initially asked what she did wrong and worried about grandchildren, but accepted it within 10 minutes.
Coming out and life today
Foster lived a double life until approaching 50, when the constant vigilance became draining. He came out publicly in 2017 and was relieved that no one dropped him. Now 56, he enjoys sweets and chocolate, works out for enjoyment, and plays golf with mates, where his nickname is Shandy Pants because he only drinks shandy. He says life is less chaotic and he still doesn't take life seriously.
