Home-town hero Nicola gets a glittering reception after Olympic boxing victory

OLYMPIC boxing queen Nicola Adams made a happy return to Leeds and told her army of local fans: “I couldn’t have done it without you.”

The gold medallist was out and about in her home city yesterday after staying being kept away by media and promotional duties during the week after the Games.

Asked what it was like to finally make it home to the city, the 29-year-old Ebor Gardens golden girl replied: “Amazing!”

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And she also took the opportunity to thank her fellow Loiners for the support she received during her triumphant march to flyweight glory at London 2012.

Nicola told the Yorkshire Post: “The backing I got was immense.

“Looking on Twitter and seeing how many people here were behind me, that spurred me on. It was so inspiring.”

One of Nicola’s first stops after getting back into Leeds was Cookridge Street in the city centre, where the Royal Mail has painted two post boxes gold in her honour.

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Her new-found celebrity status was underlined when she arrived at the post boxes, as she was mobbed by excited fans asking her to sign autographs and pose for pictures.

“It was a pretty amazing reception,” said Nicola. “That’s how it’s been ever since I got home, though – even when I’ve been out driving I’ve had people in other cars tooting their horns and shouting congratulations.”

Nicola also revealed she had enjoyed an emotional reunion with Dexter, her beloved pet dog.

Dexter made headlines during the Olympics after she paid for him to have access to a TV at his boarding kennels so he could follow her fortunes in London.

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“Apparently he’s become a bit of a YouTube sensation,” said Nicola, referring to online footage of the Doberman glued to ‘his’ television.

“He was so excited when I got home – he was racing up and down the hallway, running past me then coming back the other way.”

Meanwhile, Downing Street has insisted there is no quota for the award of honours to Britain’s gold medal-winning Olympic athletes.

The success of Team GB – with 43 athletes collecting gold and more expected in the Paralympics – has prompted speculation that some London 2012 stars could miss out in the New Year Honours List.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “Honours are awarded on merit, not according to quotas.”