Tom Daley is planning to undergo hypnotherapy to cure his fear of clowns

Speaking to the Daily Star newspaper, he said: "I'm not a fan of clowns - they are my biggest fear. I want to try and fix that phobia before it becomes too bad."

The sportsman announced that he and his husband Dustin Lance Black were expecting a baby via a surrogate on Valentine's Day with a sweet online upload.

But, although they're over the moon that they're soon to become parents, Tom has admitted they have been bombarded with hurtful comments since the news of their pregnancy was announced because they're a gay couple using a surrogate.

Commenting on how Kim Kardashian West was praised when she opted for a surrogate with her third child, four-month-old Chicago, Tom said: "With Kim (Kardashian West), people felt sorry she's not able to have to have a child because of health reasons - 'How lovely it is that a surrogate has been willing to do that! But for every other gay couple that is not able to have a child, but desperately would love to bring up a child like any heterosexual couple, we have been treated quite differently."

Their happy news comes just months after Tom said he and Dustin, 43, were keen to start a family together - but he couldn't pinpoint a time when they would start trying.

He said: "Lance and I definitely want a family in the future - who knows when? We're both lucky to have supportive families and we want to share that with our children."

The couple - who now live together in London - got married in May last year at Bovey Castle in Devon and they previously admitted it was love at first sight when they were introduced to one another back in 2013.