Steve Adlington looked on as Becky (19) landed with Great Britain's other Beijing Olympic medallists on Monday afternoon in front of a massive media presence and cheering airport staff - while thousands more watched on TV.

• All the Rebecca Adlington stories

Then Steve, of Rydeale Avenue, said he backed his daughter to follow up her two gold medals in the 400 and 800 metres freestyle by succeeding in London 2012

Steve was speaking at the Crowne Plaza Hotel moments after Becky landed in the British Airways Boeing 747 featuring a special gold medal 'nose'.

He told Chad: "It is now starting to sink in. I feel prouder seeing her coming off the plane than the time she won gold."

• Open top bus parade details

Steve, who will be reunited with his star daughter at the hotel later this afternoon, also told Chad: "It is mind boggling what she has achieved. To me she is my little girl, but to everyone else a superstar.

"People are coming upto me in the street to say well done and it is really amazing."

Becky will come under intense pressure in the build-up to London from the nation's media and multi-national sports companies.

But delighted Steve believes Becky will be able cope with the pressure.

• I am proud to be from Mansfield, says Becky on return to UK

He told Chad: "She is level headed and as long as she concentrates on training hard she will be ok.

"2012 is her goals and is the one thing she has worked towards. For me it will be more interesting to see how she performs in the upcoming championships ahead of the next Olympics.

"She has a passion for swimming which she will not lose."

Becky told the BBC immediately after landing in the UK: "I never expected this. It is fantastic, great. Thank you to everyone. It has just been fantastic."

Becky's boyfriend also praised Becky for achieving the ultimate goal in her sport and thanked the people of Mansfield for their 'fantastic' support.

Talking to Chad on Monday Andy Mayor (22), who has also represented GB at swimming and met Becky at a swimming meet, said: "Words cannot describe how it feels to see Becky achieve what she did.

"She is an amazing person as well as very talented. It is wondeful for me to be here to share her experience."

Jubilant Andy also thanked the Mansfield public and council chiefs for their support.

He told Chad: "The people of Mansfield have been fantastic to Becky. All the things they have done, the messages and goodwill gestures have been very special.

• Becky's views on BBC Sports Personality Award

"To have a swimming baths (Sherwood Baths) renamed after her (the Becky Adlington Swimming Centre) is a tremendous honour. I do not think Becky realises the impact she has had on the nation."

Becky is due to return to her Ryedale Avenue home in Mansfield on Monday evening and, following the open-top bus parade of Mansfield on Tuesday evening, is due to go off on a relaxing cruise with her boyfriend later in the week.