WORLD heavyweight champion boxer Tyson Fury has paid a special tribute to his Lancashire coastal hometown in a social media post.

Posting to his 5.4 million Instagram followers, Tyson shared a snap of himself in Morecambe Bay with a heartfelt caption about how he has ‘never forgotten’ his roots or where he has come from.

In the post he wrote: “King of the world -  but never forgot where I come from.

“Started here in Morecambe and still here. I’ve kept grounded and stayed true to myself. It’s a lonely place on top of the world.

"Believe in yourself and follow your dreams - you never know what is possible.

“With faith anything is possible all praise be to God.”

At the time of writing, the post has been liked more than 110,000 likes and fans flocked to support ‘The Gypsy King’ in the comment section.

Blackburn motorcycling legend, Carl Fogarty, wrote: “Same as me big man… I’m still in Blackburn they won’t let me leave.”

One person wrote: “One of the most humble men I've had the pleasure of meeting. You are a true gentleman pal and I'll always wish you the best of success.”

Another said: “Inspirational - you and your wonderful wife and family.”

In his Instagram stories, Tyson also opened up about how “blessed” he felt to be alive while walking along the windy seafront.  

He said: “Lovely day here in Morecambe Bay – nice and fresh! My daily ritual is to come out for a coffee and walk down the front.

“I am very happy to be alive. There are a lot of people out of there suffering with mental struggle – keep going people never give up because today is your day and help is just around the corner.

“You just need to reach out and grab it.

“Get well again and I will see you on the other side.”

Lancashire Telegraph: Tyson Fury encouraged people to talk about their mental health issues(Instagram/@gypsyking101)Tyson Fury encouraged people to talk about their mental health issues(Instagram/@gypsyking101)

The 33-year-old has suffered with his own mental health struggles in the past.

He has been open about his downward spiral after beating Wladimir Klitschko to become world heavyweight champion in 2015.

Tyson explained that he would disappear for days and often took comfort in drinking heavily and eating too much.

He even spoke about attempting to take his own life on one occasion.

Tyson moved from Wythenshawe to Morecambe Bay around 14 years ago after his uncle asked him to come for a week and get some training in over Christmas; what began as a week stay turned into a permanent move.

He now lives here with his wife, Paris, and his six children.

Tyson has playfully nicknamed the area Alcatraz, which is based on an infamous island in California once home to a federal prison.

 “I call it Alcatraz because if you go that way you hit water,” he said In a YouTube video on The Overlap channel.

“You’ve got to drive an hour to Manchester and an hour to Liverpool

“It’s the last point of civilisation for me and I need that.”