Ben Proud is enjoying the kind of purple patch most swimmers can only dream of after adding Commonwealth gold to the world title he claimed in Hungary last month. 

Eight years after he announced himself on the international scene by winning double gold at Glasgow 2014, Proud was back on the top step of the podium, claiming Team England’s first gold in the pool in the 50m butterfly. 

In Budapest at the World Championships he finally achieved his ambition of becoming the fastest man in water by winning the 50m freestyle, but you sensed that this success meant even more. 

He said: “It's a weird one. On paper it's just another gold medal but to me this is an eight-year legacy that I've just completed. 

“I walked into this event eight years ago and walked away with a gold almost not knowing what I'd done. 

“Four years later I got disqualified and felt like I was held back from retaining that title. 

“So to be able to come back four years later, after a lengthy career, after some highs and lows and to take that gold back into my hands, that's something I'm extremely grateful for.” 

On another successful night for Team England in the pool, Tom Dean claimed silver in a thrilling men's 200m freestyle which brought a reversal of the Olympic one-two.

Scotland's Duncan Scott came out on top on this occasion, with Dean just under four-tenths of a second behind his home nations rival.

"Obviously I wanted that gold and I knew it was going to be a tight race with Duncan but we're one-two at a major international competition again," said Dean, who later claimed silver as part of the men's 4x100m freestyle team.

"The friendship comes before the rivalry. We're great pals in and out of the pool, it's a healthy competition which is going to be good for the sport, good for Great Britain when we do come together and good for the Commonwealth sport showing what we're capable of.

"We push each other on and I can't seem to get away from him. And while that can be annoying sometimes, it's only a good thing and I'll look back on it with fond memories." 

Dean's quartet were not the only English relay team to claim silver, with Anna Hopkin, Abbie Wood, Isabella Hindley and Freya Anderson taking silver in the women's 4x100m freestyle.

"We're happy with a silver," said Anderson - who, like Dean, also won silver in Friday's mixed 4x100m freestyle.

"It was always going to be a tough battle between us and [bronze medallists] Canada so we're happy we got a touch on the wall first. 

"The boys have got a silver as well so we'll keep building this momentum and try and get golds later in the week."

Imogen Clark hailed a career highlight after claiming silver in the women's 50m breaststroke, while Brodie Williams seized his opportunity in the men's 100m backstroke to claim a silver of his own.

"I thought I was going to do the 400IM today but got to take the chances in that 100, saw it was wide open and took my chance," he said.

"I'm happy with a PB and I'm happy with my first senior medal. I've got to take that.”

Hannah Russell, meanwhile, hailed the home crowd after taking silver in the women's 50m freestyle S13 final.

“It’s brilliant," she said. "It's reminding me of the London 2012 Paralympic Games, walking out to a home crowd - nothing beats it. 

"It’s one of those experiences which doesn’t happen too often and having that support off the back of Tokyo 2020 does give me that buzz. I am partially sighted, so I really do get that boost from the atmosphere.”

Adam Peaty marked his return from injury by winning his men's 100m breaststroke semi-final and will go for gold on Sunday evening.

“When you take the swimming away, you think ‘am I still going to be the best swimmer in the world?’" he said.

“You’ve still got to earn that right to be the best swimmer in the world, it’s not just a given.

“I'm really happy. That was my fourth swim this year. My front end feels rustier than it normally would in a Championship but I realise, it’s not about the times, it’s about enjoying the crowd and giving the crowd a show.”