Olympic champion Tom Daley has been having fun as he strips down to his budgie smugglers for a bath, in his new role as ‘bath ambassador’.
The gold medallist shared: “I’ve had quite a few ice baths in my time as an athlete but now that I’m retired, I can enjoy a nice warm bath.”
A study of 2,000 adults has found Brits will take an average of 96 baths a year – more than 6,000 over their lifetime.
A good 65 per cent love a soak in a nice warm tub even if they know it’s quicker to hop in the shower. One in 10 admitted to even having three or more soaks in a single day.
British Gas which commissioned the survey to mark the launch of its same day boiler service, has also appointed Tom Daley as its ‘Nice Bath’ Ambassador championing warm baths.
He added: “Broken boilers are nobody’s idea of a good time, especially when the weather’s already freezing outside. Just thinking about stepping into a cold shower or bath is making me want to go and put my dressing gown on.”
Almost a quarter of those surveyed like the water to be as hot as they can bear when they dip their toes in between 43 and 45 degrees, with 19 per cent always ensuring they put their elbow in first to check the temperature.
Late Sunday night was considered the perfect time to have a soak, with the water a steamy 39.8 degrees. Interestingly, just like Tom, 12 per cent of respondents have voluntarily taken an ice bath, however, a staggering 64% would refuse to give it a go.
In the event of no hot water in the home, 17 per cent would use their gym membership purely for a hot shower. And 12 per cent would consider asking a neighbour if they could strip down for a scrub in their house.
Popular pastimes in the bath include fantasising about winning the lottery (19 per cent), indulging in a favourite drink (18 per cent), and practising mindfulness (17 per cent).
A spokesperson for British Gas commented: “We know how much Brits value bath time, so now is the time of year to check your boiler is in tip-top condition, or you may find yourself sheepishly standing at a neighbour’s door in your towel.
“Boiler care should be a year-round priority, and regular maintenance over the summer can help avoid issues during the colder months. However, when your boiler does break down-which can happen to anyone-getting it repaired quickly is essential.”