• Sports Personality of the Year

Hamilton pips McIlroy to Sports Personality of the Year

Lewis Hamilton was crowned Formula One world champion in November © PA Photos

Enlarge

Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year in Glasgow on Sunday, with golfer Rory McIlroy in second place and athlete Jo Pavey third.

Hamilton won his second Formula One world title last month after edging an often controversial battle with Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg when he clinched the crown with victory in the season's final race in Abu Dhabi .

"Firstly I really want to say a huge congratulations to all the champions, I'm so proud and honoured to be among so much British sporting talent," Hamilton said. "A massive thank you to all the people that called in, I really was not expecting it - because dude [McIlroy], you had such an incredible year.

"Tonight has been a huge reminder of just how many great sportsmen we have here. I never thought I would be up here standing with the greats. It's just a dream."

McIlroy became the first UK golfer to win back-to-back majors when he claimed the US PGA title after winning the Open. Pavey became the oldest-ever female European champion by winning the 10,000 metres in Zurich aged 40 years and 325 days, and less than a year after giving birth to her second child.

Ryder Cup-winning captain Paul McGinley was named Coach of the Year after leading Europe to a five-point victory against the United States, who were beaten 16.5-11.5 at Gleneagles.

"I'm very, very honoured," McGinley said. "I need to thank the people of Scotland. Your support was huge. I had 12 great players, 12 great personalities and a great backroom team and vice captains."

The golfers missed out on the Team of the Year prize which went to the England women's rugby union team, who won the World Cup following three consecutive final defeats thanks to a 21-9 triumph over Canada in Paris.

Sir Chris Hoy, the six-time Olympic champion, received the Lifetime Achievement award from Prince Harry.

It was another major boost for the Scot, who has swapped his bicycle for a career in motorsport, after getting his baby son Callum home from hospital after he was born 11 weeks early in October.

"It's been some month," Hoy said, holding back tears. "To get Callum home was just amazing and this really caps it off, to get a Lifetime Achievement award.

"It's a huge honour. I never thought I'd see my name alongside the likes of Sir Steve Redgrave, David Beckham, Seve Ballesteros and others who've received this incredible honour and it makes it even more special to be receiving the award in Scotland."

Overseas Sports Personality of the Year went to Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, while gymnast Claudia Fragapane was named Young Sports Personality of the Year.

The 17-year-old collected the prize at the same venue where she became the first Englishwoman to win four gold medals at a single Commonwealth Games for 84 years.

The Helen Rollason Award, presented for outstanding achievement in the face of adversity, went to the 400 servicemen and women who competed at the Invictus Games in London last September.

After handing the award to UK team captain Dave Henson, Prince Harry said: "I'm like a proud dad. You look around and and every single person is on their feet. That's for you."

The Unsung Hero award went to 77-year-old Jill Stidever, who has coached disabled swimmers - including three Paralympians - for more than half a century.

Stidever said: "I feel very humble. I've had lots of help. It's not just me. And without my volunteers we wouldn't keep going."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd