DOUBLE Olympic medallist Jack Laugher was always destined for great things, say jubilant friends and staff from his schooldays.

Amid an outpouring of tributes – including from the Prime Minister – those who grew up with the diver or were his teachers at Ripon Grammar School said he always displayed the necessary commitment to become a champion.

Laugher made history with his teammate Chris Mears as Team GB's first ever Olympic diving gold medallists with their performance in the synchronised three-metre springboard event.

He went on to add to his tally with a silver medal in the individual three-metre springboard final, recovering spectacularly after scraping into the final in 12th place with his last dive.

He was known as LJ during his schooldays and his old classmate Ben Blakey said: "He was destined to achieve great things, the way he dedicated himself over the years.

“Although a gold medal is an astonishing achievement, those who know him aren't surprised as it's something he strived for every day of every week.

"The whole of RGS has followed his diving career and will continue to do so. Congratulations LJ you did it."

The diver’s old headmaster Martin Pearman said: “On behalf of everyone here I would like to congratulate Jack on his historic achievement. Everyone is so proud of what he has achieved and he fully deserves his success.

“I am sure his success will inspire the next generation of students at school to strive to be the best they can be.”

PE teacher Helen Mackenzie taught Laugher in his first year at the school and was in Rio to watch his medal-winning performances.

She said his success was the culmination of 15 years’ determined effort.

“He has committed himself to this success right through his teenage years, when his friends were all going out enjoying themselves like most teenagers would. Jack trains six hours a day, six days a week.

“When you speak to him he is modest and unassuming. When Mr Pearman used to read out his successes in assembly, Jack would slide down his chair, not wanting the limelight.”

She added: “My overriding memory of Rio is that after winning an Olympic gold medal - the one accolade every athlete aspires to - he got on a normal service bus to come and meet his mum and his sister in order to have a hug.”

She said his strong family ethic had kept him grounded during his success, and picked him up at difficult times in his career.