Astronaut Tim Peake joins Heathrow 'welcome'

British ESA astronaut Tim Peake landed at Heathrow from Houston today for the first time in 7 months following his six-month trip to the International Space Station. To celebrate his safe landing back to earth and to welcome him home to the UK, Heathrow has today unveiled Tim as one of the iconic welcome posters which will be viewed by 75 million passengers a year.

Photographs of Tim with his arms outstretched in his distinctive blue overalls, will be showcased across all terminals. Tim arrived into Terminal 2: The Queen's Terminal. His first public appearance in the UK is planned for 15 July, at the Farnborough Air Show.

Alongside Tim, eight new British icons have also been chosen to welcome visitors to the UK. Heathrow's welcome campaign has become a well-recognised greeting for passengers arriving at the airport. There are now over 20 iconic figures represented with new additions ranging from a Red Arrows pilot, to a Town Crier and a Zookeeper, all of whom aim to celebrate the United Kingdom's diverse culture.

The welcome images are spread across the terminals in a variety of locations from baggage re-claim to gates across all four airport terminals. There are over 60 posters in total across the airport.

John Holland-Kaye Heathrow's CEO said: "Heathrow is a great British asset that is recognised around the world and now from space too. We are honoured that astronaut Tim Peake has joined our line-up of iconic personalities that celebrate the diversity and colour that the United Kingdom has to offer."

Alan Wyatt, Town Crier is another UK icon who has been honoured in Heathrow's welcome campaign. Alan who has worked as a Town Crier in London for the past three decades said: "I was so honoured to be selected to join the welcome to Heathrow campaign. I love the idea that a Town Crier is now greeting overseas visitors as well as Brits arriving back home in the UK.'

Alan is the holder of two Guinness Records, one for the loudest Town Crier in the World at 112.8 decibels and another record for a 48-hour town Criethon when he cried a hundred-word proclamation every 15 mins for 48 hours.

Flight Lieutenant Joe Hourston, Red 9, is another star of Heathrow's welcome campaign. Joe has flown as a pilot with the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, for the last two years. The 36-year-old, who flew the Tornado aircraft operationally before joining the world-renowned display team, said: "One of the roles of the Red Arrows is to represent the United Kingdom and act as national ambassadors at home and overseas – so being part of Heathrow's welcome campaign is a perfect addition to my role."

Heathrow's new welcome campaign is now on display across all terminals featuring:

Tanya Moodie – Actor, Globe Theatre
Vicky Fyson – Zookeeper, London Zoo
Alan Myatt – Town Crier
Rachul Panchkaran – Customer Service Assistant, London Underground
Joe Hourston – Red Arrows pilot
Natasha Moger – SAC Engineer
Floriana Stanciu – Big Issue Vendor
Stephen Wiltshire – London Artist