Bringing home the gold! Team GB’s Winter Olympic heroes land back at Gatwick – and double champion Matt Weston is straight in to wedding planning after packing on the PDA

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Team GB‘s Winter Olympics stars received a rapturous reception as they returned from Italy on Monday following a hugely successful Games.

GB won five medals over the past two-and-a-half weeks, matching their record performance from both 2014 and 2018.

However, they had never previously won more than one gold medal, with GB taking home three this time out.  

Skeleton star Matt Weston stole the show, winning both the men’s individual skeleton and the mixed event with Tabby Stoecker.

Charlotte Bankes also struck gold, triumphing in the mixed team snowboard cross competition alongside Huw Nightingale in what was the first British victory in an Olympic event on snow. 

Elsewhere, Zoe Atkin won bronze in the women’s ski halfpipe and Team GB took silver in the men’s curling. 

Team Gb's Winter Olympics Stars Received A Heroes' Welcome Upon Their Return From Italy

Team GB’s Winter Olympics stars received a heroes’ welcome upon their return from Italy 

Matt Weston Poses With The Two Gold Medals He Won After Arriving Back At Gatwick Airport

Matt Weston poses with the two gold medals he won after arriving back at Gatwick Airport

Weston Is Greeted By His Fiancee Alex Howard-Jones And She Shed Light On Their Wedding Plans

Weston is greeted by his fiancee Alex Howard-Jones and she shed light on their wedding plans

And after they landed at Gatwick on Monday, they received a heroes’ welcome from fans and loved ones.

Several supporters had brought British flags and the athletes posed for multiple photos in the arrival area of the airport, while they also signed autographs for youngsters. 

They all had their medals around their necks and in one shot, Weston posed with Nightingale and Bankes. 

The quintet later posed for professional photos as part of the homecoming. 

Man of the moment Weston was also greeted by his fiancee Alex Howard-Jones, his long-term partner from their school days.

Howard-Jones had been in attendance in Italy when it came to light that they are set to get married in July.

As Weston returned, she was seen running up to him before they shared a kiss, and BBC Sport quizzed her for an update on their wedding plans.  

‘I mean it (the wedding) is as organised as it can be at the moment,’ she said.  ‘I need Matt’s input now. 

Zoe Atkin Pictured Arriving Back In The Uk After Taking Bronze In The Women's Ski Halfpipe

Zoe Atkin pictured arriving back in the UK after taking bronze in the women’s ski halfpipe

Charlotte Bankes And Huw Nightingale, Who Won Gold In The Mixed Team Snowboard Cross Event, Pose With Their Medals

Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale, who won gold in the mixed team snowboard cross event, pose with their medals 

Atkin Signs Autographs For Young Fans Who Were Part Of The Homecoming At Gatwick

Atkin signs autographs for young fans who were part of the homecoming at Gatwick 

‘I’ve sort of given him a bit of breathing space as the Olympics was coming, but now I’m like full steam ahead with it.

‘I’ve got the dress, but he needs to get his suit now because he hasn’t got that. We were a bit worried he would get a bit more muscly, so we were like let’s not get the suit yet.’

When pressed for any further elements of the wedding, she added: ‘We’re going abroad, I don’t know any details.’

The interviewer then asked whether Italy would be ruled out as a destination, to which Howard-Jones responded: ‘No, maybe not (Italy).’

During Weston’s individual gold medal, his dad Tom was seen cheering his son on throughout the duration of the race, but Howard-Jones appeared racked with nerves.

It was not long though before the family were able to launch into celebrations with the rest of the Team GB contingent who were in attendance as he took gold. 

Howard-Jones was hugged by Weston’s mum Alison amid the jubilant scenes, before he appeared in shock at the finish as he was hugged by his coach.

And speaking after his triumph, Weston’s fiancee – who is the chief operating officer and founding member of pltfrm search, a specialised executive search firm based in London – said she never lost faith in him.  

‘It feels amazing to be honest,’ she said. ‘I told you that he’d get a gold and he did. We couldn’t be prouder.’


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