“It’s the equivalent of getting Lionel Messi to give you a football lesson, isn’t it?”
BBC Radio Derby sports presenter Dominic Dietrich is still pinching himself after being given tips on how to improve his swimming technique by three-time Olympic gold medallist Adam Peaty.
The broadcaster is preparing to take part in a swim challenge for Children in Need – despite not being able to swim before embarking on the venture.
He said it felt “surreal” to be given some extra training from Peaty, who was once a member of the City of Derby swimming club.
“It was really nice the way he took his time out and you can see how the local people responded to him,” Dietrich said.
“He actually stood with me and gave me some tips and told me about his struggle early on being scared of getting in the water, not wanting to swim, and that opened my eyes a bit.
“It’s not just me, there are loads of people that didn’t like swimming when they were younger or were scared of it.”
“I stood there looking at him thinking this is absolutely ridiculous.
“Not just the fact that he’s with Gordon Ramsay’s daughter so he has a close relationship with him, that is incredible on its own, but the fact that he’s an Olympic record holder.
“It was so surreal. He was genuinely really nice.”
Dietrich is taking part in The Thousand Mile Challenge to help raise money for Children in Need.
Groups from BBC radio stations across the UK are attempting to swim 1,000 miles (1,609km) collectively by the end of Friday.
Dietrich, who is attempting to swim at least 50 lengths, said Peaty had helped him gain more confidence in the pool.
“If you put me in deep water, I will struggle and panic,” he said.
“I think it’s a bit of a fear thing for me. Putting my head in the water is just not comfortable, so it’s proper out of my comfort zone.
“I never would’ve jumped into the water back first or dived in at all, whereas now I feel pretty confident in doing that.
“I feel way more confident, I feel like I could turn up to a leisure centre and get in the pool and not feel insecure that people are looking at me thinking I’m an idiot.
“They probably are, but I don’t feel insecure in that.”
To find out more, head to bbc.co.uk/swim.
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