Watch: Undisputed world champion boxer Josh Taylor is welcomed home to Prestonpans

World champion boxer Josh Taylor has been given a hero’s welcome as he arrived back in his home town of Prestonpans today.

Word that the champ was going to be driving through his hometown around 4pm on Tuesday spread like wildfire across social media.

Large groups of excited children and saltire clutching fans turned up with plenty time to spare, despite knowing that their hero would only be able to spend a mere few seconds as he passed by in his car.

People gathered outside beloved local the Goth, who, in preparation for the moment, ensured the Scottish flag was flying proud on the building.

If onlookers thought that the icy cold sea breeze, or the occasional bouts of rain would frighten away the crowds, they’ve never properly met someone from the Pans.

Whispers of “apparently he’s still at the airport” and “no, I heard he just left” amid screams of children cheering any tinted windowed car in the vicinity filled the almost two and half hours many eager locals waited.

Wherever he goes in the world, and however big he gets, Josh Taylor is Pans through and through, and despite being ever so slightly late, he didn’t disappoint his fans, his neighbours and his hometown.

The cheers and yells of delights were deafening as his car approached, with the man himself hanging out the window, beaming at the crowd.

Josh Taylor arrives in his hometown of Prestonpans in East Lothian, and is greeted by fans after becoming four-belt undisputed champion. (Credit: Euan Cherry)

The car stopped as it was surrounded and Taylor cheered, laughed and took as many selfies as possible with the children who had raced to the window to see him, everyone jostling to get as close as possible.

Despite having just jumped off a flight from Las Vegas, he made as much time as he could to share the moment with those who turned up before heading home.

Taylor made boxing history in the early hours of Sunday morning by becoming the undisputed super-lightweight champion of the world.

Josh Taylor arrives in his hometown of Prestonpans in East Lothian. (Credit: Euan Cherry)

He floored Jose Ramirez twice at the Virgin Hotels resort in Las Vegas become only the fifth man and the first Briton to claim the WBO, WBA, IBF and WBC titles simultaneously since the four-belt era officially began in 2004.

Since his victory, Taylor has said that he wants his next fight to be Scotland’s Capital, at either Easter Road or Edinburgh Castle.

He returned to Scotland via a private jet, posting on his Instagram “Champagne living. Cracked it” as he celebrated his epic victory, though this moment was ever so slightly marred as his world title belts were lost in transit.

He is expected to be reunited with the prized mementos later in the week.

Josh Taylor arrives home in Prestonpans

Taylor hasn’t fought in his home city since defeating Mexico’s Miguel Vázquez at the Royal Highland Centre at Ingliston in 2017.

Line of Duty’s very own Martin Compston is a huge fan of the boxer, messaging him several times in the build up to the big fight.

After Taylor’s legendary win, the actor tweeted: “Sir Chris Hoy, Sir Andy Murray, tell me this man doesn’t deserve his place among them and not give a f** at the same time.”

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