FANS lined the streets to cheer home Bolton boxing sensation Amir Khan on Tuesday night.
More than 100 friends and relatives welcomed him back to his home in Tudor Avenue, Heaton, before a group of drummers turned up the party atmosphere and the dancing started.
Amir was lifted on to the shoulders of friends as the crowd chanted his name and urged him to join in the dancing.
And his aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews were armed with single red roses and bunches of flowers to shower on the Olympic silver medallist.
Amir and his father, Shah, were mobbed by well-wishers as soon as they stepped out of a Hummer Limousine - a huge souped-up military vehicle favoured by American rap stars.
An archway of red, white and blue balloons surrounded the doorway to the semi-detached house and a huge silver balloon filled with confetti burst over Amir's head.
Bolton Evening News posters adorned the downstairs windows.
Earlier, at Manchester Airport, the scenes were just as euphoric, and the 17-year-old Olympian's appearance sparked a frenzy among 200 eager fans who gathered to catch a glimpse of him.
Young fans waved banners which read "Come on Amir," and one fan had an inflatable boxing glove with the teenager's name on it.
Then Amir, wearing his Team Great Britain tracksuit, approached the arrivals lounge flanked by police officers and close friends and relatives. He was met by his mum, Falak, two sisters and brother at the arrivals gate.
The star signed autographs for a few lucky fans, and even managed a hug for one young girl.
Hysterical fans asked him to sign copies of the Bolton Evening News, in which he featured as the cover star, and he obliged with a smile.
Chants of Amir's name and "Come on Bolton" rose to fever pitch as he made his way through the airport to a chorus of cheers.
Asked if he had any words for fans, Amir said: "Thanks for all the support. it is brilliant to see you all."
Melissa Kennedy, aged 13, of Lucas Road, Farnworth, got her copy of the Bolton Evening News signed by Amir.
She said: "I had to come and see him because he's from Bolton and he's done so well for the town and the country and proved that he's a brilliant boxer."
Amir's father, Shah, said: "It will take us a week to recover from this - the welcome back is way beyond anything we had expected. No-one really knew Amir a month ago and now it is just incredible. Life will not be the same for quite a while.
"Amir knew he would come back with a medal but he wasn't sure what colour he would get. To get silver is a massive achievement but he will not get carried away. He will never change, he will always be the same Amir and we will help keep his feet on the ground.
"The whole world has been behind him. After the medal ceremony the stadium was still packed, as it has been for all his fights, and they were all cheering him.
"We will never forget that moment."
Amir's younger brother Haroon, aged 13, also a keen boxer, said: "I think Amir will have to sleep for days now just to recover.
"At the next Olympics, we might both come home with a medal each. Imagine what it will be like then!"
Neighbour Andy Foden, aged 48, said: "Tudor Avenue has been transformed tonight and it's just amazing. Just think what it will be like in four years time when he gets a gold! The family are just lovely and it's just wonderful what he has achieved. We knew he was a boxer but all of a sudden he was at Olympic standard and we were watching him box on television."
Friend Saajid Mulla, aged 19, of Queensgate, said: "I've known Amir a long time and always knew he would be a champ. He was always determined at school and is such a nice lad.
Bolton Council of Mosques general secretary Maulana Muhammed Adam said: "Amir has fought his way into the hearts of British people with his calm, confident manner in the heat of the fight and has proven himself to be a shrewd tactician in the ring. His contribution to British athletics is exemplary."
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