Ben Stokes named BBC Sports Personality of the Year

The 28-year-old held his nerve as England triumphed in a Super Over to win the Cricket World Cup in July, and just over a month later his glorious unbeaten 135 at Headingley won the third Ashes Test for England.

Stokes’ sizzling summer had made him the overwhelming bookmakers’ favourite for this award, and the public vote saw him finish ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Dina Asher-Smith at the event in Aberdeen on Sunday night.

After receiving the award, Stokes said: “First of all, congratulations to all the nominees, what you have managed to achieve as individuals and what you have managed to do for your sport is seriously sensational.

“Obviously it’s an individual award but I play in a team sport and the best thing about that is you get to share special moments with team-mates, backroom staff and management who make days like we had in the summer possible.

“I’m up here receiving this award but without the efforts you put in this summer, I wouldn’t be up here doing that. So thank you so much.”

It is a story of redemption for Stokes, who in 2018 was cleared of affray charges following an incident outside a Bristol nightclub in September of the previous year.

Stokes added: “Two years ago was a tough time for me in my life. I’ve had so many people help me through that. My fantastic manager, friend Neil Fairbrother is here tonight. You are more than an agent as you get called these days. You’re an incredible human being and an incredible man. I literally don’t know how you’ve put up with Andrew Flintoff to start with and then me!”

Also on the six-person shortlist were Katarina Johnson-Thompson, Raheem Sterling and Alun Wyn Jones.

Stokes and his fellow World Cup winners were named Team of the Year while the moment the trophy was secured claimed the Greatest Sporting Moment of the Year award.

Asher-Smith’s coach John Blackie was named Coach of the Year, having worked with the world champion since she was eight at the Blackheath and Bromley Athletics Club.

Asher-Smith said: “John deserves this so much. He’s just so inspirational, so selfless and he has been working in track since before I was born.”

Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson received the Lifetime Achievement award to mark a stunning sporting career.

Wheelchair racer Grey-Thompson won 11 Paralympic gold medals between 1992 and 2004 as well as six London Marathon titles. Following her retirement she has remained heavily involved in sport, working on the board of the London Marathon and the SportsAid Foundation.

The award ceremony had got off to a poignant start as former Scotland rugby union international Doddie Weir was presented with the Helen Rollason award.

The 49-year-old was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2016, and he has spent the time since then working to raise awareness of the condition through his charity My Name’5 Doddie.

Weir, who won 61 caps for Scotland, said: “It’s quite ironic being a Scottish rugby player in the 90s, this is the closest I ever got to a trophy.

“The generosity and support towards my foundation has been outstanding.”

Keiren Thompson was the overall winner of the Unsung Hero prize out of a pool of 15 regional award winners.

Thompson is the founder of Helping Kids Achieve community group in Nottingham, and was presented with the award by Eliud Kipchoge, who was named World Sport Star.