Tony McCoy became the first jockey to be voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year, receiving national recognition for riding more than 3,000 winners and triumphing in the Grand National steeplechase in his 15th attempt.

The 36-year-old McCoy had won most major races in Britain - including the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle and King George VI Chase - but had 14 failed attempts to win the Grand National until he rode Don’t Push It to victory in April.

There were no footballers on the 10-man shortlist at the end of a year in which no English side reached the Champions League semifinals and the national team had a disappointing World Cup.

But former England captain David Beckham, his country’s most capped outfield player, received the BBC’s lifetime achievement award.

Rafael Nadal won the overseas sports personality prize at the end of a year in which the 24-year-old Spaniard won the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open.

Europe’s Ryder Cup players won the team of the year prize after regaining the trophy from the United States in October.