Tim Peake: Being back on Earth is like 'world's worst hangover'

Video report by ITV News Correspondent David Wood

British astronaut Tim Peake has described his body adjusting to being back on Earth as like "the world's worst hangover".

Major Peake said he felt "pretty terrible" and was suffering with vertigo and dizziness, but was beginning to feel better as time passed.

He added that sleeping back on Earth was much easier but admitted he missed the view from the International Space Station.

British astronaut has returned to Europe after six months on the International Space Station.

He tweeted this photo during a stopover in Norway.

• Video: Tim Peake describes arriving back on Earth

British astronaut Tim Peake has said he is "doing good" after a "dynamic" landing back on Earth.

Major Peake went on to explain how it feels for your body to readapt after six months in space, and told how it felt to smell the scents of Earth and feel the breeze on his face again.

Major Peake was speaking after arriving in Karaganda, a major city in Kazakhstan, around 300 miles from where he landed on the steppe with American Nasa astronaut Colonel Tim Kopra and Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko

"It feels fantastic" to be back on Earth, said British astronaut Tim Peake as he arrived in Karaganda.

After returning to Earth in the Soyuz capsule, Major Peake, along with American Nasa astronaut Colonel Tim Kopra and Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko, were flown by helicopter to the Kazakh city where they were given gifts of bread and salt and a traditional Kazakh hat.

When they have received their gifts the trio will then go their separate ways, Major Peake taking a plane to the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, Colonel Kopra heading for Houston, Texas, and Mr Malenchenko travelling to Star City, near Moscow.

Major Tim Peake may have enjoyed a textbook return to earth but he may face a bumpy landing at the traditional welcome ceremony in Kazakhstan, reports ITV News producer Patrick Russell.

The British astronaut and his two colleagues are due to arrive on the windy runway in Karaganda in two hours for an event which will see the trio given gifts of bread and salt and a traditional Kazakh hat.

One of Major Tim Peake's first acts after returning safely to land was to phone his family, the European Space Agency has revealed.

It shared a photograph of the British astronaut smiling during the call home.

Meanwhile, Major Peake's parents were pictured watching on proudly as the Briton returned after six months in space.

The astronaut and his two colleagues are due to attend a traditional welcoming ceremony in Kazakhstan, after which Major Peake will have to climb back on a plane to the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany.

British astronaut Tim Peake smiled broadly and said he was feeling "very good" after he was safely removed from the Soyuz capsule following a dramatic return to earth.

"It was incredible. Best ride I've been on ever," he told waiting journalists after a textbook landing on the Kazakh steppe.

"I'm just truly elated. The smells of the Earth are so strong. It's just wonderful to feel the fresh air. I'm looking forward to seeing the family now."

He added that spending 186 days on the International Space Station was "life changing" experience" but he was looking forward to a "pizza and cold beer".

Major Peake is currently being checked over by medical staff to ensure he suffered no injuries in the descent.

Tim Peake and his two colleagues have landed back on the remote Kazakh steppe.

"The Soyuz is home. Touchdown confirmed," said Nasa on its live stream.

Recovery teams are one their way to the capsule to help retrieve the astronauts.

Live video is following Tim Peake's spacecraft as he returns to earth after six months in space.

The Soyuz spacecraft has begun its decent back into the atmosphere in a dramatic trip that will see the capsule shoot through searing temperatures as it re-enters the earth atmosphere before landing at 10.15 am BST.

Three ambulances have arrived at Karaganda airbase in Kazakhstan ahead of Tim Peake's landing at 10.15 BST.

ITV News Science and Health Producer Patrick Russell tweeted: