Leeds: Olympic boxing hero Nicola Adams is star hometown attraction

Nicola was out and about in her home city yesterday after staying down south for media and promotional duties during the week after the Games.

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

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, a former regular at Burmantofts Gym, said: “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 postboxes gold in her honour.

Her newfound celebrity status was underlined when she arrived at the postboxes, as she was mobbed by excited fans asking her to sign autographs and pose for pictures.

“It was a pretty amazing reception,” said Nicola, proudly clutching her gold medal.

“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.

“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.”

Former Agnes Stewart School pupil Nicola’s gold at London 2012 was the first boxing medal to be won by a woman in the history of the Olympics.