After 186 days in space, Tim Peake has returned to Earth. The final goodbyes were said at 2am this morning before Peake stepped into the Russian Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft.

Along with him were commander Yuri Malenchenko and NASA's Tim Kopra.

The team undocked from the International Space Station at 5.51am and separated a minute later.

They successfully completed the deorbit burn and are re-entered the atmosphere at a speed 28,800km/h.

Parachutes were deployed on time and the whole process was described as "by the book" by NASA.

They landed in south central Kazakhstan where rescue services were waiting.

Major Peake's first words were that his space adventure was "the best ride I've been on ever". He said he was looking forward to joining his family and enjoying a cold beer.

After routine medical examinations, he will be flown to Cologne for debriefing with the European Space Agency.