British star Daley leaves it late to advance to final

Tom Daley survived a major scare as he left it until his final dive to nervously progress past the first round of the men’s 10-metre platform.

The 18-year-old former world champion produced one of the worst displays of his decorated young career before narrowly sneaking through to tomorrow morning’s 18-man semi-final.

Veteran team-mate Pete Waterfield was not so lucky, as he too under-performed in his fourth Olympics, to bow out in 23rd.

Daley was left on the cusp of a shock exit when he drew scores as low as three for a disastrous penultimate back three-and-a-half somersault.

With the 17,500 home fans inside the Aquatics Centre left stunned he held his nerve to grab 8.5s for his final reverse three-and-a-half somersaults and edge through.