Britain's Olympic heroes triumphantly arrived home today to rapturous cheering and applause on a golden-nosed plane having watched the film Chariots of Fire following our greatest ever overseas Games.

With 77 champagne bottles on board and a stirring rendition on the National Anthem before take-off, there was a carnival atmosphere on board the flight taking Team GB's athletes home from Rio 2016.

And two-time Olympic champion gymnast Max Whitlock posed for the cameras with part of his pommel horse routine in first class, while other competitors showed off their medals in photographs with the flight crew.

The heroes arrived at London Heathrow Airport's Terminal Five shortly before 9.50am this morning - having been all smiles as they boarded the British Airways plane in Brazil for the 7.50pm flight yesterday.

And before their Boeing 747 plane left the South American country last night, Team GB's athletes stood up and belted out God Save The Queen as it played over the Tannoy, video footage taken on board revealed.

The plane carried 320 athletes and support staff who stayed in Rio for Sunday's closing ceremony -- as well as pole vaults, javelins, bicycles and a 22ft sail -- and team members were offered a three-course menu on board.

And after winning the hearts of the country with their sporting heroics, Team GB's gold medal-winning athletes were treated to a first-class ticket home.