Blake Aldridge, 26, could contain himself no longer: "He's the messiest person on the team ... and his monkey haunts me every morning." Welcome to the world of the synchronised sidekick to Tom Daley, baby of Team Britain, 14 going on 20, sponsors’ dream and the cause of an unprecedented interest in twists, turns, somersaults, pikes and points.

If Daley can reproduce the flare and confidence that poured from him at a standing-room-only international press conference, with bulbs flashing and some 50 television camera crews in attendance today, then he and Aldridge may well lift the medal that is officially regarded as only a remote possibility.

No hint of nerves as yet - video games, basketball and sending home postcards complete with stamps with Daley’s face on them among distractions - but the wobbles may take hold as Daley lays his head to rest on Sunday night and contemplates walking out in front of 1,700 Chinese cheerleaders, his parents Rob and Debbie, three brothers, both sets of grandparents, auntie, uncle and a “business partner” for the 10m synchronised final at the Watercube on Monday.

Daley has a solution. After a chat with Sir Steve Redgrave – in between having his photo taken with Rafael Nadal and breakfast with Jamie Murray in the Athletes’ Village - the Plymouth schoolboy and youngest British Olympian since Ken Lester in 1960, no longer worries about sleepless nights. "I used to struggle sleeping before a competition and I asked Steve what happens if you can't sleep and he said it doesn't matter, you can still perform,” said Daley. “Now I know that’s the case it makes me fall to sleep easy. It all helps me have a smoother journey.”

Olympics updates direct to your mobile

Put the Beijing Games in your pocket

Phelps wins first gold with world record

American swimmer sets world record in winning the 400m individual medley and the first of a projected eight gold medals

• Perfect stage for Michael Phelps, Mr Perfection

• Tom Daley heads into the deep

• Race against the clock

Multimedia

• Simon Barnes in Beijing

• Bring back the tug-of-war

• Top 100 Olympic athletes of all time

Related Links

• An ill wind blows for British crew

• Tomlinson's ingredients for success

• I can win gold and US Open, says Murray

Daley was 10 when he made his first trip to China and has been globetrotting ever since. His experience is backed up by an army of British sporting worthies, available at the push of a button on Daley’s mobile. "Leon Taylor (2004 Olympic silver medallist diver) is one of my mentors, but I also have Sir Steve Redgrave and Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson to contact when I feel it necessary to ask them about different experiences to get myself ready for the Olympics.” Daley Thompson is also on tap.

Daley the diver is taking it all in his growing stride. In the Green Room, the Olympic equivalent of Madonna’s dressing room, with leather sofas, potted plants, lights, mirrors and refreshments, a pit-stop for athletes about to face the press, the diver strained his young neck to shake hands with the other end of the spectrum: at 5ft 4in and 7st 7lbs, Daley is 1ft 4in shorter and almost 10 stones lighter than Lebron Jones, the USA professional basketball player who, at almost $6 million, earns more a year than the entire budget for all five Olympic aquatic sports in Britain.

Diving’s share of the National Lottery pot is a drop in the ocean but most welcome, nonetheless. The sport also gives daily thanks for the Daley draw. Steve Foley, the director of performance and former Australian diver, said: “It’s been great for the whole team. We’re glad to get the publicity. Tom’s like a young man in a toyshop. He has had a positive impact on the team, he copes with things very well and his presence encourages people to raise their game.”

His and Aldridge’s chances of a medal may depend on how well the Chinese have rehearsed inscrutable twists and turns of their own invention. He Chong will make Olympic history off the 3m springboard with the first two and a half somersaults with triple twist. Such things will not be on the Daley sheet until 2012.

Aldridge intends to be there with him: “Tom is like a breath of fresh air to have around and to dive with. I have been in the sport for 21 years, this is my first Olympics and Tom has helped me get here. I am hoping to go onto 2012, hopefully his energy and enthusiasm will keep me going until then. He keeps me young in body and mind. It’s what I need to keep me young."

Daley, who will also compete in the solo 10m event alongside Peter Waterfield, the silver medal winner with Taylor in the synchronised final in Athens four years ago, was asked what he thought of Sir Matthew Pinsent’s description of the atmosphere in the Olympic Village as being like "a school disco". Foley leapt in: “He hasn’t been to school”. The first hint of a blush colouring his cheeks, Daley offered clarification: "I haven't been at school much recently but I do go when I can."

That’s in between the competitions, the camps and the growing demands from sponsors and promoters. British Swimming and Daley’s agent, the Professional Sports Group, are trying to contain the circus. It will not be easy. Daley is one of the most sought-after boys in town. "Diving in China is quite a big sport, so you do get people recognising you around the place,” he said. “It's kind of weird because when you are little, you dream of being famous, it's weird to become that person, you don't expect it to happen to you."