He was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease in 2012 and recently received an organ donation from his wife. Darren won gold in the 50m and 100m swimming freestyle and bronze in the volleyball.

Darren was previously a shortlisted finalist for the Chef Lecturer accolade at the Craft Guild of Chefs Awards in 2023.

Commenting on his success, Darren told BBC News: "I didn't know what I was getting myself into, but the team were amazing and became like family. I sign up for the 50m freestyle and the 100m freestyle, which are my two swims that I used to do as a teen when I swam for Leicester and the county.

"At the games, I was so focused on just finishing, I couldn't tell if anyone else was in front, and I looked up, and the board said I'd won. I couldn't believe it, and with my family in the stands screaming and shouting. It was unbelievable. Without the live organ donation from my wife, I might not be here. It was that serious. It really is a gift of life."