Live updates: Luke Campbell balcony appearance at Hull City Hall from 6pm tonight

A crowd of thousands has welcomed Olympic gold medallist Luke Campbell home to Hull.

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The boxer, 24, made a balcony appearance at Hull City Hall with hammer-thrower Alex Smith, who reached his final in the Olympic stadium.

• Full report, pictures and video: 'This is why I love my city', says Luke Campbell as thousands greet him in Queen Victoria Square

LATEST UPDATES

7.09pm: Luke Campbell on his balcony appearance: "It was amazing. I'm lost for words about the support I was given tonight. Each person took time out of their day to come and cheer me on. I'm lost for words.

"I'm very emotional. There's one word for that support - 'Wow!'.

"I'm very proud."

He tells Radio Humberside he's looking forward to getting out and about in Hull: "Anyone can approach me. I'll say 'hi' and have a chat."

What an amazing fella!

7pm: Alex Smith on his balcony appearance: "It was amazing. The crowd was just brilliant."

Today, he's a pop star - tomorrow he goes back to work at Centrica! But he says he's already thinking about Rio in four years time.

6.59pm: The crowd gives three cheers to the Olympians.

6.52pm: Loudest cheer of the night: Luke repeats his "Come on 'Ull" shout from the balcony!

He tells the crowd: "I'm just the same as anybody here. Just work hard at what you believe in. You can do it."

And shows again the charm and humility that has impressed everybody: "I took you into every fight. You were with me for every punch," he tells his home city.

6.45pm: Luke and Alex have thrown their Union Flags into the crowd. They've gone down a storm here.

6.36pm: Luke Campbell is on the balcony wearing his gold medal and wrapped in a Union Flag. He applauds the crowd. Massive cheer. He looks thrilled.

He tells the crowds: "This is why I've always been proud to be from Hull."

"I'm overwhelmed. I can't believe the support. Thank you."

Delight from the crowds as he raises the gold medal to all sides.

6.35pm: Burnsy is comparing Luke Campbell to Hull's sporting greats ... but even Deano doesn't have an Olympic gold medal.

6.34pm: Alex Smith gets a massive cheer for saying: "The Hull crowds are better than the London crowds."

He adds: "Thank you all for following the Olympics and making it as special as it was."

6.33pm: David Burns introduces Alex Smith. Big cheer for the hammer thrower who made the final in the Olympic Stadium.

6.15pm: Video of the crowds ...

6.10pm: Luke and Alex have arrived at Hull City Hall and will appear on the balcony in about 20 minutes. Luke's young son Leo is here too - he's looking out of the windows and is thrilled at the sight of the crowds.

We think the roar when they appear will be even louder than this one - the moment he won gold on Saturday night - watched by fans at the Hull Cheese pub:

5.50pm update: We're enjoying an amazing atmosphere in Queen Victoria Square. Huge crowds with gold balloons and flags are singing along to Simply The Best and We Are The Champions. More and more people are arriving all the time. The BBC's David 'Burnsy' Burns is master of ceremonies.

"The hairs on the back of my neck are standing up," he says. "Nothing brings a community together like sport. It feels like everybody's here."

Tonight's event is the first of its kind since Hull City won promotion to the Premier League in 2008.

Luke and Alex will step out on to the Hull City Hall balcony at about 6.30pm. The public celebrations will continue until about 7pm.

Afterwards, the Olympians will attend a civic reception at the Guildhall with those who have supported them on their way to Olympic glory.

Hull City Council told today's Mail that Luke is in line to be the youngest person to be granted the freedom of Hull.

Luke’s mum Jill said the boxer, a member of the St Paul's Club, based in Old Town, would be overwhelmed with the support.

She said: “He knows quite a lot of what has gone on in Hull because we have told him.

“But I don’t think he will be prepared for the reality until he sees it.

“I think he will be overwhelmed by it and a bit emotional. But he will be really touched by it. He will have a massive smile on his face.”

Leader of Hull City Council Councillor Steve Brady said: “We want to welcome our two Olympic heroes back to the city and we hope the people of Hull turn out to show their support for Luke winning Gold and Alex being in the hammer-throwing final.

“We had always planned to hold a homecoming for Alex and Luke, so Luke bringing back the gold is the amazing icing on the cake.

“This is now Hull’s golden moment to welcome them back after their inspiring journey representing Team GB in the London 2012 Olympics. We can’t wait to welcome them back and we hope the people of Hull now do them proud by giving them a moment to remember when they appear on the balcony.”

• In pictures: Phone box and post box painted gold