FORMER Olympian Mark Foster will star on Motty Mastermind as legendary football commentator John Motson is honoured by hosting the quiz show.
The ex-swimmer came out as gay in 2017 after revealing he spent the last 30 years not revealing his true sexuality.
Who is Mark Foster?
Mark Foster, 48, was born in Essex in 1970 and rose to prominence aged 15 when in 1985 he became the fastest swimmer in Britain.
That same year he was selected by the British swimming team, getting his big time breakthrough in 1990 when he won bronze for England at the Commonwealth Games in Auckland, New Zealand.
As a specialist short course swimmer (races in a 25 metre pool) he broke the freestyle world record over that distance four times and the butterfly record twice.
But he became labelled the “bad boy” of British swimming in 1995 after he tested positive for cannabis.
In 1996 he broke the long course world record for butterfly.
Foster won 47 medals over the course of his career and represented Team GB in five Olympics.
He last competed at an Olympic Games in Beijing, China, in 2008, in a final, and unsuccessful, attempt to win an Olympic medal.
He was also the flag bearer for the British team at the opening ceremony at those games.
In the games he missed out on a place in the 50 metre freestyle semi finals and retired after the games ended.
After he left the sport he carved out a media career and took part in Strictly Come Dancing, Superstars and other TV shows.
He began his punditry career during the BBC’s coverage of the London 2012 Olympics and continued his role through the Rio 2016 games as well.
Was Mark Foster on Strictly Come Dancing?
The famous swimmer was on the famous dance show in 2008.
He was voted off after a dance off in week six.
Mark was partnered with Hayley Holt and was eliminated after performing a paso doble to Since U Been Gone – which earned him a score of just two from scathing judge Craig Revel Horwood.
He has also featured in Let’s Dance for Sport Relief, ITV2’s Celebrity Juice and a Paralympic special of The Million Pound Drop.
When did Mark Foster come out as gay?
In November 2017, Foster told The Guardian: “It’s not like I’ve been pushed to come out. I’ve just swerved and swerved.
“Telling half-truths and not being my true self is only hurting me. I’m 47, a middle-aged man, and I’m no longer competing.
“I’m not the first gay sportsman to come out. Gareth Thomas and Tom Daley led the way.”
Does Mark Foster have a boyfriend?
Mark Foster has revealed he has someone special in his life, but refused to name names.
He told PinkNews: “The reaction has been brilliant. And I do have someone in my life.”
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What time is Motty Mastermind and what TV channel is it on?
Motty Mastermind will be grilled by John Motson on Saturday, May 19.
The show will be live on BBC Two at 8.30pm.
Also appearing are former England Women’s captain Alex Scott, boxer Anthony Crolla and Motson’s fellow commentator Jonathan Pearce.
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