Rio Olympics 2016: Staffordshire's Joe Clarke joins Team GB heroes as they return home
Staffordshire's Joe Clarke today touched down back in the UK as Team GB received a hero's welcome on their return from the Rio Olympics.
The 23-year-old kayaker from Stone triumphed in the men's K1 canoe slalom during the games to the delight of those watching back home.
Friends from Stafford and Stone canoe club where the Olympian is a member have already painted their post box gold in his honour.
Team GB's triumphant Olympians arrived at Heathrow singing the national anthem as their gold-nosed British Airways jet touched down on home soil.
The excited athletes took selfies on board the BA2016 flight, with double gold-medallist Max Whitlock trying out some of his gymnastics routine on the first-class seats.
He and champion boxer Nicola Adams were the first two stars to emerge from the plane and stood at the top of the stairs as the rest of the athletes filed out to cheers and applause.
Many took selfies with their Team GB colleagues, continuing a theme that had applied throughout the journey.
Joe took a selfie on the steps of the plane with photographer's cameras focusing on the triumphant team.
He tweeted: "What a reception! We're home...Bringing home the great."
The sportsmen and women used social media to share pictures of themselves enjoying a party atmosphere as they celebrated becoming the first country to better a home medal count at the following Olympics.
Some posed for pictures in the cockpit, with rower Heather Glover swapping her gold medal for a pilot's hat in one photo.
Triathlon gold medallist Alistair Brownlee did the same, with the caption: "So #goodtobBAck. What a welcome".
Gold medal rower Matt Langridge tweeted: "Think there might be someone famous on my flight, we have a welcome party #GreattobeBAck".
The athletes headed to Heathrow terminal five arrivals after sorting out their luggage, with the rowers first to get through.
Friends, family and general well-wishers waited to welcome home the Olympic heroes, adorned with union flags, welcome banners and red, white and blue balloons.
The stars were greeted by cheers, applause and screams, with many supporters rushing to embrace their loved ones after weeks spent thousands of miles apart.
Children crouched in front of the barriers clutching small British flags, desperate to glimpse the sporting stars and hoping for an autograph.
