Sports Personality of the Year 2019: Ben Stokes crowned winner - BBC Sport
England cricketer Ben Stokes is voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2019.
England cricketer Ben Stokes has been voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2019.

The all-rounder was man of the match as England won the World Cup for the first time with a dramatic super over victory against New Zealand at Lord's.

Stokes, 28, also hit an unbeaten 135 in the one-wicket third Ashes Test triumph against Australia at Headingley.

In a public vote, Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton finished second while sprinter Dina Asher-Smith was third.

Manchester City and England footballer Raheem Sterling, world heptathlon champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Welsh rugby union legend Alun Wyn Jones were also shortlisted for the main award.

Durham's Stokes was presented with his award by the Princess Royal and former Manchester United and Scotland footballer Denis Law.

He becomes the first cricketer since Andrew Flintoff in 2005 to win the prize.

New Zealand-born Stokes is missing the first warm-up match of England's Test tour of South Africa, which starts on Tuesday, in order to attend the show in Aberdeen.

"First of all, I think congratulations to all the nominees. What you've managed to achieve as individuals and do for your sport is simply sensational, so well done to you too.

"There's so many people you feel you have to thank when you're up here. It's an individual award, but I play a team sport and one of the great things about that is you get to share special moments with those team-mates, coaches and without that effort you put in, I wouldn't be up here receiving this award so thank you so much.

"Two years ago was a tough time for me in my life and I've had so many people help me through that. My fantastic manager and friend Neil Fairbrother, you're more than an agent, you're an incredible man. I don't know how you've put up with Andrew Flintoff and me, you and [Fairbrother's wife] Audrey, you're incredible people.

"My parents, they live on the other side of the world, they don't get to share moments like this, the World Cup and be there with me, but the time you dedicated to me growing up, the selflessness to get me to training camps and around the country, this is for you. I love you so much, thank you.

"To my amazing wife, Clare. Family to me is more important than what I do for a living. It puts perspective on everything, after the good and bad days they are there for me no matter what. My two kids too, they are awesome I love you so much.

"Back to Clare, you're a rock. You always have been. You always will be. I wish you could come here and share it with me, you deserve it just as much. I love you so much and I'm so proud to call you my wife.

"I'm guessing I should leave it there."
• None '2019 will be very hard to top and wipes away anything that happened the year before'
• None Stokes can inspire the next generation - Agnew

The very best in British and world sport celebrated a magnificent year at a sold-out P&J Live Arena in Aberdeen.

Scottish singer Lewis Capaldi and Aberdeenshire-raised Emeli Sande wowed the crowds with emotional performances while there were special moments to treasure as other awards were handed out.