Making a splash! Tom Daley dives into Oxford Street to headline star-studded Renault 5 launch party
Five-time Olympic medal winner, LGBTQ+ icon, broadcaster and author Tom Daley was joined by stars including Master Chef: The Professionals finalist Matt Ryle and broadcasters Greg James and Jonny Smith for an evening of entertainment
Glittering VIP event was held to launch the new Renault 5 in the UK, as well as a celebration of the new electric supermini – which costs from £22,995 – being crowned Top Gear Car of the Year, What Car? Car of the Year and The Car of the Year
Guests enjoyed five Renault 5-themed canapes created by Maison Francois and Café Francois chef Matt Ryle, plus a DJ set and Q+A session with Daley
Those eager to learn more about the Renault 5 can see the car at Maison 5 pop-up from 22nd-30th March at Future Stores, 95 Oxford Street
Five-time Olympian Tom Daley swapped gold, silver and bronze for pop yellow and green this week, when he headlined the launch of the multi award-winning Renault 5 in the heart of London, with fellow guests including broadcasters Greg James and Jonny Smith and Master Chef: The Professionals finalist chef Matt Ryle.
Before retiring from competition last year, Daley became one of Team GB’s most recognised athletes, making his Olympic debut on the diving blocks aged just 14 in 2008, and going on to win a wholly appropriate five Olympic medals plus 11 World, Commonwealth and European Championship medals. Today he’s a leading voice for the LGBTQ+ community, a broadcaster within sport and entertainment, an author, and creator of the brand, Made With Love.
Soon to be proudly driving a Renault 5, Daley was delighted to enjoy his first experience in the car, which has earned plaudits for its stunning design, in-car tech and for making electric motoring truly desirable. Revelling in seeing the car for the first time, ahead of taking delivery of his own later this year, Daley even made use of its baguette holder to deliver a crucial ingredient for the evening’s menu.
Daley said: “At the pool I did all I could to avoid making a splash – but in the Renault 5 you can’t help it! The car felt so special, from its design on the outside to the tech inside, and it was such a joy watching all the heads turning and the smiles beaming at the pop yellow paintwork as I rode through London. But the best bit has to be the baguette holder – what could be more French than that? I love the car’s sense of fun!”
The event menu was created by chef Matt Ryle, who found fame through his loving cookery of classic French dishes, on television and at Maison François, a brasserie and wine bar in the heart of St James’s, and newly opened Café François, which overlooks Borough Market. He created five special Renault 5-inspired canapes for guests, nodding at everything from the car’s quintessentially French style to its historical victory on the Monte Carlo Rally, all served with Renault 5-themed drinks, featuring yellow and green ingredients.
Ryle, who will shortly take delivery of an R5, said: “There’s no question the Renault 5 has the winning recipe; it’s beautiful to look at, and packed with cutting-edge technology. But above all it’s also great fun – I loved the pop yellow colour, and as a chef who loves the very best of France I couldn’t stop smiling at all the little French flourishes, from the cockerel motifs to the French flags – and of course that baguette holder. It gives the car such a wonderful character.”
Daley was interviewed at the VIP event by broadcasters Greg James and Jonny Smith, both of whom started driving Renault 5s earlier this month, underlining their double-act status by both opting for yellow cars with the two-tone black roofs. Late last year the pair reviewed the Renault 5 in Nice for the international first drive and fell in love with its marriage of practicality, keen price-point and refreshingly unique styling.
James said: “Just looking at the Renault 5 makes me happy. I’ve had an obsession with Renaults since I was a kid and as soon as I heard about the reboot, I knew I was going to get one. It’s a brilliant celebration of all things French and unlike so many new cars, they’ve remembered why people fall in love with them. Yes, they have to be a good and fit into your life, but crucially they also have to be fun. Ever since I saw the press release saying the R5 came with an optional baguette holder, I put my name down for one and it’s been worth the wait. It’s as good to drive as it is to look at.”
Smith added: “Greg and I met through a mutual broad appreciation for cars – from retro stuff to new EVs. He grew up around Renaults – his first car was a Clio – and so he was hammering me with messages after seeing my first-look video on the R5. We’ve since driven it at length in France (whilst spotting classic Renaults in rural French back streets) and spent more time than is healthy discussing perfect specs. For us Renault seems to have captured the true spirit of the original car, and made an EV aesthetically charismatic and dynamic to drive, together with a decent-sized boot and enviable price tag. On the road it gets more attention than most supercars. That speaks volumes.”
