Max Whitlock’s astounding temperament meant a historic second world crown was always in the pipeline, at least according to his Olympic gymnastics captain Kristian Thomas.

The 24-year-old became the first Briton to defend a World Championship title on Saturday when dazzling on the pommel horse in Montreal.

Not only that, but Whitlock overtook Olympic teammate Louis Smith and Beth Tweddle with the most medals won at the competition – with two golds and four silvers gleaming in his armoury.

But for Thomas, both a close friend and teammate of the Basildon star, this comes as no surprise – even for a man seemingly forever under the artistic spotlight.

“Max is a pretty chilled-out guy with whatever he does, whether that’s with gymnastics or other aspects of life,” said Thomas.

“Being a double Olympic champion is therefore something that doesn’t faze him going forward, if anything it’s the opposite and it gives him the confidence to keep pushing on to bigger and better things.

“I don’t think he ever feels the press pressure of that, the world is very much his oyster now and he’s in a position where he can make the most of that.

“Each time he goes away to a Championships, it’s a clean slate. That was the way I looked at things and knowing him the way I do I’m sure he’ll be in a similar position.

“Being a reigning champion, in whatever competition, is something that you have and can’t be taken away from you, it just put him in a position where he could go out, boss it and win it again.”

If his double gold success from Rio last year hadn’t done so already, Whitlock is now the name on everyone’s lips when it comes to British gymnastics.

But next year will see him put that to the test on home mats as the 2018 Gymnastics World Cup comes to The Arena Birmingham in March.

Yet with three Commonwealth and one world title already coming in the familiarities of Glasgow plus two bronzes at London 2012, any fears of Whitlock freezing under the pressure have surely been cast aside in the eyes of Thomas.

Thomas, who hasn’t competed since competing in Rio more than a year ago, knows full well the British team is strong throughout, confident Birmingham can be an inspirational breakthrough for the country.

“Max is very good at competing under the spotlight, he has the right approach and can really thrive in that,” he added.

“He is helping the sport as a whole keep growing and growing and to have events like the World Cup coming to Birmingham just continues to show that.

“It can only do good things, we want to be inspiring people into the sport and for us that’s what it’s all about.

“I can tell people how great it is, but once people try it they’ll be able to see that for themselves.”

The 2018 Gymnastics World Cup lands at Arena Birmingham on 21-22 March and will see some of the best gymnasts in the world compete. Prices start from £18 with family tickets available from £48. Find out more at www.gymnasticsworldcup.co.uk