Seamus Derbyshire

Last year Seamus Derbyshire fell in love with athletics again, he also went viral on TikTok several times. 

Previously, Derbyshire had felt the need to separate his authentic self and his athletic self, taking time away from the sport in 2024, but the hurdler combined both identities in 2025 to devastating effect. 

The Stoke native set a new personal best in June of that year to earn the qualifying time for the World Championships, but faced a nervy wait to be called up after a third-place finish at the British Championships, as men’s 400m hurdling in the UK went from strength to strength. 

With his place on the plane to Tokyo confirmed, Derbyshire had to prepare for his first Worlds experience, and think about his announcement to the crowd before his race. 

That is because Derbyshire has become known for his theatrical antics on the start line, a clear expression of queer joy, as well as racking up millions of views on social media. 

The Loughborough-based athlete then received a surprise call-up to the 4x400m relay team for the heats, repeating his role at the World Athletics Relays in Gaborone earlier in 2026. 

At his debut Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Derbyshire will reignite his rivalry with Jersey’s Alastair Chalmers, with the latter having beaten the former to Commonwealth Youth Games gold in 2017.