He has been hailed the pride of Castle Point and has even had a pub named after him. EMMA THOMAS catches up with Canvey decathlete and World Champion silver medallist Dean Macey to see how he is coping with his new-found fame

Since winning a silver medal in the decathlon at the world championships in Seville, 21-year-old Dean Macey has pole vaulted his way into the hearts of the nation.

His story could have come straight from the pages of a Jilly Cooper novel - an unknown battling against the all the odds, fighting injury and still achieving a result most sportsmen can only dream of.

Dean is taking his success in his stride and is trying to rest - despite having to cope with a whirlwind of interviews as the press and media desperately try to satisfy the public's desire to find out more about the hottest property in athletics.

I met Dean at his island home in Rainbow Road which he shares with his mum, dad, brother and sister.

Like any normal 21-year-old on his day off, he was having a lay-in when I arrived.

Most stars would have told me in no uncertain terms to go away but, ever the professional, Dean got up and spoke to me.

With his trademark bottle-dyed blond hair hidden under a baseball cap, the 6ft 5ins tall hercules virtually filled the armchair he was sitting in.

Dean is a typical boy next door and has not let success go to his head.

Since winning his silver medal little more than a week ago, Dean said he has been approached by at least 30 agents desperate to sign him.

But he is biding his time and has selected two or three to follow up as he prepares for a full-time career as an athlete.

Dean explained he only really got interested in athletics after getting bored with football.

He played for Mornington Boys based on Canvey and had trials for Arsenal when he was 14, but said: "I never really enjoyed it."

It was taking part in the school's district sports competition for Castle View School on Canvey which changed his mind and sent him off in the direction of athletics.

He said: "I was supposed to be doing the 200 metres and the high jump but by the time I'd finished the 200 metres I was too late to do the high jump and they wouldn't let me compete.

"I was sure I could do it and beat the others so I joined Castle Point Athletics Club and went from there."

Dean is quick to shrug off claims he came from nowhere. He said: "It's been hard.

"I have to come through all the levels and been injured. At times I thought about going to bed with a rope and a razor." Like most teenagers Dean did not have a clue wanted he wanted to do when he left school. He said: "I just wanted to enjoy myself.

"It was only when I was at the World Junior Championships when I was 18 that I decided this is what I want to do."

To finance his training Dean took a job as a lifeguard at Waterside Farm pool on Canvey and had sponsorship to help with expenses.

He trains for two hours from 10am and then heads to Crystal Palace in the afternoon for three hours with his coach Greg Richards.

Dean said: "I train six days a week and have Fridays off. Then I spend the whole 24 hours on my back."

The reaction of the public to his performance in Seville has amazed Dean.

He said: "When I was coming back from the airport with my girlfriend Lisa we stopped off at McDonald's as I was starving and they gave us our food for free.

"People pull over to the side of the street to watch me go past and I have had 20 to 30 cards in the post every day!"

Dean has qualified for next year's Olympics in Sydney and said he while he would love to win a gold medal there he will be happy if he is in the top five.

He said: "I didn't cry when I won the silver but I might do if I get the gold.

"I don't have to go and work as a lifeguard anymore and I can concentrate on being a full-time, professional athlete.

"At the moment I just want to rest, have a holiday and spend time with my family, girlfriend and my friends."

Even if Dean does win a medal at the Olympics he still deserves a gold for being nice, and he knows the whole of Castle Point will be behind him, cheering him all the way.

Heroic effort - Canvey's Dean Macey was an unknown outside of athletic circles. But that all changed in an instant when he spectacularly clinched a silver medal in the decathalon for England at the World Championships held in Seville

(Right) Family values - Dean shares his medal success with his mum Pat and girlfriend Lisa Hayes

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