NATALIE Ilston has expressed her pride at seeing boyfriend Oliver Dingley became an Olympic finalist.

Natalie - who lives on Canvey Island – was nervously watching the action from home.

And she was thrilled to see Dingley, a former Southing Diving star, finish eighth in the three metre springboard competition in Brazil.

“I am so proud of Ollie, I could burst,” said Natalie.

“He made the Olympic final and came eighth in his first Olympic Games.

“He’s a champion in my eyes!

“I am over the moon and it is a massive achievement and confidence booster for him.

“He has worked so hard and sacrificed a lot to get to where he is today.

“I’m really happy for him.”

Dingley chose to compete to Ireland rather than Great Britain two years ago and, as result, stopped training at Southend where he had been based for four years.

And Natalie reaching the Olympic final was reward for all the hard work Dingley had put in to the sport.

“He has put so much effort and dedication into his training especially since he moved to Ireland back in November 2014,” said Natalie.

“They have excellent facilities over there and they have supported Ollie every step of the way.

“He’s always dreamt of being an Olympian and he wasn’t going to let anything get in his way. “ Dingley, who won a bronze medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, worked his way through the heats and the semi-finals in Brazil.

But Natalie still found it tough viewing.

“I was watching it at home screaming at the TV and was on the edge of my seat,” she said.

“It was such a tense competition, (not just the final, but the prelim and semi-final too.

“I get so nervous watching any competition whether it is at the pool or watching online.

“All my nails are gone after any competition but it is always very exciting too as anything can happen on the day.”

Dingley is due back from Brazil next week.

But Natalie has already been able to pass on her congratulations.

“I’ve only spoken to him briefly because of the time difference but he is over the moon with the outcome,” said Natalie.

“He can’t wait to have a rest for a bit before going back to the grindstone and focusing on next season. “He also said he’s really grateful for everyone’s support.

“It means a lot to him.”

Dingley’s appearance in Rio also made him the first Irish diver at an Olympics since 1948.