London 2012 Olympics: did Tom Daley fall victim to the 'curse of Cameron?'

Diving enthusiasts including Mr Cameron's political opponents, took to Twitter to blame him for their disappointment.

Alastair Campbell, Labour’s former director of communications, tweeted: “Good of Cameron to pop into the Daley-Waterfield diving. He could have been forgiven for avoiding anything with double dip resonance.”

Shona McIsaac, a former Labour MP added: “And it's a hat trick for the curse of Cameron. Football, tennis and now diving.”

Fan Mr Noodles said: “The curse of Cameron. Quite obv that the presence of the PM is a curse. First cycling, now diving ...”

Dave Jones tweeted: “This is all David Cameron's fault. Sitting there, with his berry-red face putting them off.”

And Gabriella Edir said: “David Cameron should be running the country not watching the diving.”

The "curse of Cameron" goes back at least five years. In 2007, while still Leader of the Opposition, he wished the England rugby team good luck in the World Cup final in South Africa, only for them to lose to the home team 15-6.

A day later, he proved a bad omen for Lewis Hamilton, the British Formula One driver, who seemed on course to clinch his first drivers’ title, but unexpectedly failed to do so after being told by Mr Cameron “I’ve got confidence in you.”

The Prime Minister also proved a spectacular failure at securing Britain the 2018 World Cup, which was awarded to Russia with little international backing for the bid.