For the first time in the 57 year history of the Sports Personality of the Year awards the top honour was awarded to a jockey. Tony McCoy, also known as AP, has ridden over 3000 winners and this year rode to victory on Don’t Push It in the Grand National, in his fifteenth year of trying.

Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor, the fifteen time world champion darts player came second, whilst reigning world and European hepthalon champion Jessica Ennis came third.

McCoy polled 293,152 votes, 41.98 per cent of those cast, while Taylor got 72,095, 10.33 per cent, and Ennis 62,953, 9.03 per cent.

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Related story:

BBC Sports Personality of the Year nominees announced

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Amy Williams, the Olympic skeleton champion, and Sportsister cover star, finished in eighth, polling 43,056 votes.

But the loudest cheer of the night went to a teary David Beckham who was handed a lifetime achievement award by Sir Bobby Charlton and Ryan Giggs, the surprise winner of last year’s top award.

Louise Hudson, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine